The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) opens the call for research proposals on 1 April 2020. The DOST-PCHRD Executive Director, Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, announced this last February 28, during the NCR and South Luzon Call Conference at the Hotel Jen, Pasay City.

 
The first batch of research proposals are on Mental Health, aligned to the National Mental Health Research Agenda launched in October 2019, a response to the Mental Health Act of 2017 or RA 11036.
 
The call also prioritizes research on COVID-19, particularly diagnostics, possible drug candidates, and preventive programs as the risk for the disease continues to increase at a global level.  According to Dr. Montoya, diagnostics research on COVID-19 is necessary to empower regional and local healthcare institutions to detect the virus at a point of care for immediate monitoring and treatment. As well, the DOST-PCHRD will support research on possible drug candidates for COVID-19 such as the virgin coconut oil. Equally important are preventive programs to strengthen policies and infrastructures to better cope with the challenges brought about by COVID-19.
 
In addition, researchers are also encouraged to submit proposals aligned to the Council’s research priorities, as follows: Functional Foods, OMICS Technology; Dengue and Other Arboviruses; Diagnostics; Biomedical Engineering & Health Technologies; ICT for Health; and Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation.
 
For more information on DOST-PCHRD grant services, visit this link: http://bit.ly/PCHRDGrants.

Source: http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/6518-dost-pchrd-opens-2021-call-for-proposals-on-april-1