A new batch of third year students enrolled in priority science and technology programs are set to enjoy the benefits of being a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholar as DOST-Science Education Institute announces 2,669 qualifiers to the 2023 Junior Level Science Scholarships (JLSS).
The new qualifiers bested a total of 12,566 examinees who took the scholarship examination on August 27, 2023 held in various testing centers nationwide. On top of the announced number, 331 more potential qualifiers—whose names do not appear in the published list—are also under consideration for the JLSS, pending re-evaluation and resubmission of documents.
In a statement, DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo expressed her enthusiasm and pride in welcoming the new batch of scholars.
“We are delighted to welcome these young talents who have shown high potential in science and technology. They shall join the future S&T movers and leaders of our nation, and their innovative contributions can be instrumental in achieving inclusive development for our country. We are happy to support them in their remaining two or three years in college,” said Dr. Biyo.
Qualifiers who will avail of the scholarship will enjoy benefits, which include tuition and other school fees subsidy, monthly stipends, learning materials and/or connectivity allowance, thesis allowance, transportation allowance, group health and accident insurance, beginning the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024,
The JLSS has three component programs, namely: the Merit Scholarship (R.A. No. 2067), R.A. No. 7687 or the “S&T Scholarship Act of 1994,” and the R.A. No. 10612 or the “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013.” The Merit and the R.A. 7687 scholarship programs are implemented in support of the Institute’s goal of increasing the number of S&T professionals and experts who will help boost knowledge creation and economic productivity in the country. The RA 10612 scholarship program, on the other hand, supports the execution of the K to 12 law by creating a pool of scholar-graduates who can competently teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in secondary education.
A Notice of Award will be given to all qualifiers, while the potential qualifiers will receive an official advisory on the requirements they must resubmit. The qualifiers, with their parents/legal guardians, must attend the Orientation on S&T Scholarship Policies and Procedures. After which, they are expected to sign the scholarship agreement.
“The JLSS, along with the other S&T scholarship programs we administer, is a testament of the Institute’s commitment to developing the country’s pool of high-quality S&T human resources which can ultimately lead to the advancement of the nation. We will continue to empower them through the various support programs we offer while they enjoy the scholarship to ensure that they are well-equipped when they join the S&T workforce,” Dr. Biyo added.
Upon completion of their degree programs, scholars under the Merit and RA 7687 programs are required to work along their fields of specialization in the country for a period equivalent to the length of years in which they enjoyed the scholarship. Meanwhile, the graduates under the RA 10612 are expected to teach STEM, ideally in their respective home regions, as their return service.
The SEI is a service agency of the DOST mandated to accelerate the development of S&T human resources in the country by administering undergraduate and graduate scholarships and advanced specialized training, promoting S&T culture, and developing innovative science education programs.
