Examining Processes in Research and Development at the Department of Science and Technology

The DOST, chiefly through Sectoral Councils and R&D performers, has been successfully undertaking or supporting a considerable share of R&D activities in the country, while noting limited resources available. However, there is a need to improve the thrust for R&D, which may require the conduct of an R&D summit to finalize the scope of government’s R&D medium and long-term agenda. The DOST also needs to re-examine the distribution of GIA funds to RDIs and identify breakdowns of R&D funding for basic research, applied research, and development. The DOST may need to pilot test scientific methods, such as Analytic Hierarchy Processes (AHP) for selection of R&D proposals for funding by its sectoral councils.