2026 DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products (Philippines)

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) offers the Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products to support undergraduate thesis research using natural products from plants indigenous to the Philippines with direct human health applications. The 2nd call accepts applications from September to October 2026, with a submission deadline of 31 October 2026 to the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (RHRDC). Selected projects conduct studies from January to May 2027, followed by submission of completed studies in June 2027 and an oral presentation competition in August/September 2027. Opportunity at a Glance

- Funding organization: Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD)

- Opportunity name: 2nd Call for Applications: 2026 DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products

- Opportunity type: Undergraduate thesis grant (natural products research)

- Maximum grant per thesis proposal: Up to PHP 75,000.00

- Number of awards (per region): Up to four (4) qualified thesis proposals per region

- Eligible applicants: Undergraduate students (see eligibility section)

- Eligible locations: Philippines (through Regional Health Research and Development Consortia)

- Call period: September to October 2026

- Application deadline (to RHRDC): 31 October 2026 (time zone not specified in the source)

- Study duration: January to May 2027

- Key contact: [contact details removed]

About the Opportunity

This undergraduate thesis grant is designed to sustain and strengthen a research culture in natural products by increasing the number of researchers and experts specializing in the field. The program supports DOST-PCHRD’s Drug Discovery and Development (Tuklas Lunas) program, which aims to develop safe, effective, and affordable alternative drugs from the country’s natural resources. In this cycle, thesis projects are expected to use natural products derived from terrestrial plants native/indigenous to the Philippines and focus on direct human health applications. Funding and Benefits

- Grant amount: Thesis grants amounting to a maximum of PHP 75,000.00 will be given to up to four (4) qualified thesis proposals per region.

- Funding for additional proposals: Funding for other qualified regional research proposals is subject to fund availability and the approval of both the Selection Committee and DOST-PCHRD. - Dissemination component: After completion of thesis projects and submission of required deliverables, an oral research presentation competition will be held to recognize and disseminate information about innovative work on natural products. Who Is Eligible? Eligible proposal requirements Your proposed undergraduate thesis study must: - Use natural products from terrestrial plants that are native/indigenous to the Philippines - Have direct human health applications - Have thesis project activities that commence by January 2027 and are completed in May 2027 - Not be an ongoing project (ongoing projects are not eligible) The source indicates applicants may refer to a link to confirm whether proposed plants are eligible for the thesis grant, but the link itself is not provided in the supplied text. Not specified in the source. Eligible student applicants All undergraduate students are eligible if they: - Are enrolled in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nursing, and Health and Allied Sciences, including (but not limited to) Biology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Medical Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, etc. - Are 3rd or 4th year students only - Have thesis proposals on natural products with direct applications on human health

Not eligible:

- Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Dental Medicine students are not eligible.

The source also states:

- Students who will not finish their degree on time but are expected to complete their thesis within the contract period may still be considered, provided their timeline aligns with the grant duration. Eligible thesis adviser requirements

Thesis advisers must:

- Have a strong academic or professional background in natural products, preferably with expertise in related fields such as biochemistry, pharmacognosy, or medicinal chemistry - If the adviser previously mentored grantees under this program, they must have fulfilled all DOST-PCHRD obligations, including timely submission of required technical and financial reports - Have no unresolved accountability issues with DOST-PCHRD (unresolved issues disqualify the adviser) - Be limited to overseeing a maximum of two (2) teams or individuals at any given time Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The grant supports undergraduate thesis research that: - Uses natural products from terrestrial plants native/indigenous to the Philippines - Addresses direct human health applications - Aligns with the program’s Drug Discovery and Development (Tuklas Lunas) focus on developing alternative drugs from natural resources Why This Opportunity Matters This opportunity is relevant for undergraduate researchers and academic teams aiming to build capacity in natural products research in the Philippines. By funding thesis projects that connect indigenous plant-based natural products to human health applications, the program supports the pipeline of future researchers and contributes to DOST-PCHRD’s broader drug discovery and development efforts. How to Apply - Prepare your thesis proposal and required documents (see documentary requirements below). - Submit your proposal via email to your respective Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (RHRDC). - The source does not provide the specific RHRDC email addresses. Not specified in the source. - Ensure your submission includes all required items, since incomplete documents will not be considered in the shortlisting process.

- Meet the submission deadline: 31 October 2026 (deadline time zone not specified in