As part of efforts prioritize research and development (R&D) grants and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholarships.
Umder the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2027, the Department of Science and Technology is set to receive a PHP30.9 billion-peso budget.
According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the proposed FY 2027 budget is 4.34 percent or PHP360 million higher than last year’s budget of the department.
Over a quarter of the proposed budget amounting to PHP8.01 billion is said to be allocated to the DOST’s Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Program, which focuses on projects in R&D, innovation, professional training, productivity, and industry competitiveness.
The projects under the R&D Program, through the DOST’s seven research institutes, will be funded with PHP2.28 billion to further push the national development initiative primarily on food and nutrition, advanced technology and nuclear research, alongside metals, textiles, and forest products industries.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also ordered DBM Secretary Kim de Leon to increase in the budget for DOST’s scholarship programs to PHP8.67 billion under the proposed 2027 national budget—up from from this year’s PHP8.31 billion.
Of the said amount, PHP7.55 billion will be allocated to the DOST-Science Education Institute for undergraduate and graduate scholarships, as well as specialized training.
PHP1.12 billion will then be earmarked for the Philippine Science High School System and Science Education Institute (SEI) for STEM-focused secondary education.
The DOST is set to support 67,504 scholars nationwide, which is 2,407 more than the 65,097 student-beneficiaries funded in the 2026 budget.
“Ang goal: gawing aktuwal na solusyon ang siyensya—sa magsasaka at negosyo, disaster preparedness, healthcare, industriya, at kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino,” the DBM said in its Facebook post.
The DBM also said, “Walang science and technology breakthrough kung walang susunod na henerasyon ng scientists at innovators.”
According to Undersecretary Claire Castro, meanwhile, the expanded scholarship program will allow more Filipino youth will also have opportunities to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and become part of the next generation of scientists and innovators in the Philippines.
“Kaya sa ating mga kabataan inaanyayahan po kayo na mag apply for scholarship kailangan po kayo ng bayan at laging mag-aral, yan po ang nais ng Pangulo,” she added.
The proposed budget of the DOST, along with all other governments agencies, are set to undergo budget deliberations in both houses of Congress before a General Appropriations Act could be ratified. That will then need to be signed into law by the President for it to take into effect by FY 2027.
In 2027, the proposed National Expenditure Program amounts to PHP7.200 trillion, it is equivalent to around 21.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and is six percent higher than the FY 2026 budget.
