To advance technology transfer efforts, the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) spearheaded a series of en banc proposal evaluation sessions on February 24–25 and March 25–26, 2025, in Los Baños, Laguna.
In these sessions, project proposals that emerged from the training on Technology Transfer Modality-Based Programs/Projects, held in 2024 were refined for potential funding in 2025.
A total of 41 proposals were evaluated—21 from 13 agencies in Batch 1 and 20 from 14 agencies in Batch 2. The event gathered dedicated extension and deployment practitioners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to fine-tune their proposals, ensuring stronger alignment with technology transfer objectives.
TTPD Director Noel A. Catibog welcomed the participants and evaluators. He commended everyone’s commitment and emphasized the importance of well-prepared proposals. He also advised that proposals requiring minor revisions should be finalized for immediate consideration, while those needing major revisions should be resubmitted in the next call within the year. Moreover, only proponents without outstanding unliquidated projects with DOST and PCAARRD are eligible and only solicited proposals will be accepted to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements. Dir. Catibog also highlighted key areas for improvement in their proposals, such as: a well-founded rationale and clearly defined objectives, strong S&T interventions, capability-building components, and funding allocation for benchmarking and cross-learning activities. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of securing Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for projects involving indigenous peoples and ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines. He expressed optimism that this batch of proposals would contribute to the Kwentong Tech Trans program, a science communication initiative that highlights stories of how S&T-based innovations are implemented in local communities, transforming lives through accessible and impactful technologies.
Evaluators and S&T consultants, including Dr. Emilia T. Quinitio of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), Mr. Joselito A. Payot from the private sector, and DOST-PCAARRD's Industry Strategic Science and Technology Program (ISP) Managers, provided insights and recommendations for proposal refinement.
After the evaluation, feedback from evaluators and DOST-PCAARRD staff are integrated in the revised proposals before uploading to the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS) for further review and potential funding consideration.
This en banc proposal evaluation initiative not only accelerates the project evaluation and funding process but also fosters collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in technology transfer. By refining the proposals, this initiative paves the way for impactful and long-term advancements in science, technology, and innovation (STI) across the country.