Developing proposals

Call for proposals from Basic Research Fund and external funding agencies (FAs) come anytime during the year. Research proponents prepare proposals in accordance with the thrusts and objectives specified by the funding agency.

Basic Research

This program provides financial assistance for basic studies in the natural sciences and mathematics, social sciences and the humanities. It is also supportive of UPLB’s teaching function and is responsive to national development needs. Priority is given to proponents who have no other research study/project and/or have recently received their MS or PhD degrees and wish to do follow-up studies on their thesis or dissertation. Under the program, there is no provision for honoraria of study leaders, equipment and capital outlay. Every last quarter of the year, the OVCRE calls for submission of basic research proposals. The deadline for submission is November, evaluation is conducted in December and implementation starts January. Funds are released on a quarterly basis.

Applied Research

Some agencies, such as the DA-BAR require the initial submission of capsule proposals, and when considered for funding, proponents are requested to submit detailed proposals. Proposal format depends on the requirement of the funding agency and the proponents, for faster proposal processing, should strictly follow the formats required by DOST and its councils, DA-BAR and other funding agencies.

Processing research proposals

Before research proposals are endorsed to the funding agency for consideration, they undergo evaluation at the UPLB level through the OVCRE. The OVCRE records and logs receipt of incoming proposals, conducts pre-evaluation based on UPLB thrusts and checks for duplication of efforts. They are referred to the identified critics for review and sent back to proponent for revision (if necessary). The OVCRE prepares endorsement of the reviewed proposal for favorable consideration by the UPLB Chancellor. The Office of the Chancellor prepares the final endorsement and transmits the proposal to the funding agency.

Pointers to proponents

The proponent should review the budgetary requirement for the project in terms of the following:

• Salaries of the project personnel, honoraria rates should be in accordance with the salary rates approved by the funding agency, i.e. DOST, DA-BAR.

• The administrative cost (indirect cost) of the project is dependent on the following schemes:
  • Below P100,000 (5%)

  • P101,000 – P200,000 (7%)
  • P201,000 – above (10%)
• Payment of training fees, travel insurance, attendance in international or local conferences, collaboration with other agencies should be explicit in the MOA/MOU