EXPANDING FIELD, NARROWING ODDS: DOST-SEI Scholarship over the years

As the new undergraduate scholars of the Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) are named, let us go back in time and review the journey that led to one of the country’s most successful attempts at advancing its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field.

THE HISTORY OF DOST

The science and technology scholarship that is given today is more of a tradition kept from the predecessors of what is known as the DOST today.

On June 13, 1958, the National Science Development Board (NSDB) was established through the Republic Act 2067 or the Science Act of 1958. It was first aimed to provide central direction, leadership, and coordination of all S&T activities in the country while developing policies for S&T, programs, and other projects for national development.

Then, on March 17, 1982, the NSDB was reorganized into the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) through the Executive Order no. 784 to proceed with extensive policy-making and program implementing functions.

Finally, on January 30, 1987, in accordance with the Executive Order 128, NSTA escalated to the DOST. Its role in national development was further elevated to support local scientific and technological efforts, achieve technology self-reliance by developing local capabilities, promote partnerships with the public and private sectors for S&T activities, and encourage a greater role for the private sector in research and development activities.

While its functions and responsibilities changed through the years, one thing did not — its initiatives for science and technology scholarships.

FOR THE CAPABLE

Even when the DOST was just the NSDB, there were programs that supported developing scientists and engineers in the country. However, it was just for the top-most students in STEM, those who were exceptional in the field.

Until 1994, when the Republic Act 7687 or the Science and Technology Scholarship Act was institutionalized, talented students who aimed to pursue priority degrees in STEM but are from economically disadvantaged families were granted undergraduate scholarships.

From there on, S&T scholarships were not just for the exceptional students in STEM, but as well as for deserving ones that have the talent to pursue the same kinds of degree but are challenged by difficult circumstances.

The Merit Program which is more commonly known, is also called the Project 5801 Education or DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scientific Manpower Development Program. It is granted to students whose families’ annual gross income exceeds the regional poverty threshold, and is specifically awarded to incoming freshmen that are going to pursue priority courses in the basic sciences, applied sciences, physics teaching, and engineering at identified universities.

Meanwhile, the RA 7687 Scholarship mainly provides slots to poor but deserving students whose families’ annual gross income do not exceed the poverty threshold limit, and should be pursuing a course in the field of science, mathematics, and engineering leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.

BEYOND ASSISTANCE

From the beginning, the S&T scholarships are not without purpose, they were initiated not just for assistance but for the benefit of the whole country.

According to the DOST-SEI Scholarship Agreement, every scholar is required to commit full-time service in the Philippines for a period equal to the time they enjoyed the scholarship as their Return of Service (ROS) obligation.

By giving aspiring scientists, engineers, and researchers the support and training they need, the country is investing in national development by manifesting a stronger STEM workforce, and an elevated research and development without over-relying on foreign expertise through these scholarship programs.

In addition, it also solved the long-standing problem of the Philippines in shortage of the said workforce by attracting more students in the interests of STEM.

As of the first semester of academic year 2025, these programs are supporting about 131 000 scholars nationwide, including 117 320 bachelor scholars, 11 007 master scholars, and 2 671 doctorate scholars.

Not only that, this 2026, the program broke a record for the most students that took the undergraduate scholarship examination, with over 97 000 out of the 102 000 eligible grade 12 examinees across 222 testing centers nationwide, on February 21 and 22, and March 7 and 8 — a staggering 95.3 percent turnout rate.

From these numbers, the DOST-SEI fosters a science culture that cultivates young minds from the teachings of the program’s own products with 26 430 teachers trained by it, each committed to pass down valuable skills and lessons to the younger generation.

BY THE ODDS

However, with the success of attracting bright minds into STEM comes its challenges.

The number of STEM-interested students have skyrocketed over the years, and while this at its core is not a problem, the number of available slots for S&T scholarships is not proportional to the growth of the field.

With the record-breaking turnout percentage this 2026, the DOST-SEI’s scholarship program will only take 8 500 qualifiers as their funding allows. This means that there is only an approximate 8.3 percent margin for eligible students to become a scholar — said to be the ‘lowest acceptance rate’ since the program began.

With such a thin margin, many students regard it as one of the most competitive scholarship examinations in the country.

This shows a lack of support from the national government as the agency attributed its reduced intake to the budget constraint they are facing where only 7.6 billion peso was allocated to the DOST-SEI out of the proposed 11 billion peso for ‘expanding scholarships and improving benefits.’

Nevertheless, the program has shown its success over the years by significantly expanding the field of STEM in the Philippines. Though faced with current constraints, its purpose in supporting bright, aspiring minds in S&T remains steadfast.

As the new scholars of science and technology are named, it is important to remember that their mission remains aligned with helping the country grow and develop, even amid challenges and limitations.

Padayon, scholars of science and technology!