Eighteen small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are now stronger in their partnership with universities and research and development institutions (RDIs) through the Department of Science and Technology’s funding assistance for R&D purposes.
The Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) is a program specifically designed to catalyze partnerships in R&D between academic institutions, RDIs and SMEs. CRADLE provides financial grants from DOST to enable an SME to partner with a higher educational institution (HEI) or RDI to find viable solutions to an existing R&D problem in industry.
One beneficiary is the Carolina Bamboo Garden, as it partners with the University of the Philippines–Los Baños in researching about micropropagation of selected genetically-verified, superior bamboo to protect the environment and develop an alternative wood industry. There is also the partnership between University of Mindanao and Monde Nissin Corp in fermentation and purification research to produce food grade, pharmaceutical-grade and polymer grade lactic acid. Another is the University of Southeastern Philippines and Hijo Corp in its research to improve productivity through development of a surveillance system for banana diseases.
Through CRADLE, the SME states its concern, and the academic institution or RDI will solve the problem in partnership with the SME. A CRADLE project can have a maximum funding of P5 million, and implemented for a period of one to three years.
Another financial assistance program is the Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry. BIST is designed to assist Filipino-owned companies, particularly SMEs, to innovate and develop competitiveness and adapt to changing global dynamics. BIST will facilitate the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies by Filipino companies for immediate incorporation in their research and development activities.
Through BIST and CRADLE, the DOST aims to invigorate the Philippine innovation ecosystem as it presents the opportunity for collaboration between researchers, scientists and engineers in the academe and local private companies. The DOST also aims to help the industry gain the competitive edge in the market, through the development of innovative products, processes and/or services that are responsive to changing and global dynamics.
DOST is accepting proposals for the BIST and CRADLE Program until July 16, 2019.
Interested parties may send their inquiries to the Project Management Office, Science for Change Program with office address at the DOST, second floor of ADMATEL Building, DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. They may also send an email to s4c.ousecrd@dost.gov.ph or call the S4C PMO at (+632) 837-2943 or visit the S4C Facebook page at @dost.s4cp.