Applications for scholarships in master and doctoral levels for the next school year are now accepted at the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development, an agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

The scholarship program is open to individuals admitted in selected programs such as biology (preferably biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, or microbiology), chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, computer science, information technology, earth science, remote sensing, materials science, and microelectronics.

PCASTRD-accredited institutions include the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Los Baños campuses, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, and Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology.

Applicants are advised to confirm if program of choice in certain university is accredited in the scholarship program, which may be taken on a full-time (for MS and PhD) or part-time (MS only) basis.

To qualify, applicants should be Filipino citizens of good health, holds BS or MS degrees, have good scholastic record with a GPA of 80 or above, 40 years old or younger, did not avail of a PCASTD scholarship grant for the same degree, and without any existing scholarship grant.

Selected applicants will receive benefits such as full payment of actual tuition and other school fees, book allowance, monthly stipend, thesis or dissertation allowance, accident insurance for the duration of the scholarship, allowance for graduation expenses, and other benefits.

Other details may be obtained from agency website (http://www.pcastrd.dost.gov.ph) or get in touch with Leonida S. Corcuera of PCASTRD's human resources and institution development division at tel. nos. 837-7516, 837-7522 or 837-2071 to 82 local 2101, or through e-mail to pcastrd@dost.gov.ph

Application forms can be downloaded from the PCASTRD website or by request at PCASTRD, Room 100, DOST Bldg., Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila.  Deadline for applications is on April 30, 2003.