Last 30 March 2021, the Research Development and Innovation Center (RDIC) of Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) hosted an online talk entitled “Funding Opportunities for Filipino Researchers” with guest speaker, Marfy Lita, Project Development Officer of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).
Acknowledging the role of faculty members and the significance of funding in research, the webinar aimed to give its audience a “better understanding of funding issues and the challenges they present today and in the future,” as introduced by its host, Arnel Buencamino from the College of Nursing. Moreover, it was geared to enlighten on “the likely implications for expanding research capabilities and strengthening research in the University.”
“We’re very much happy that Our Lady of Fatima University is really trying its very best to deliver in terms of this function and we appreciate that a lot of initiatives are being carried out by your administration, the deans and the researchers themselves in your institution,” said Lita. He also congratulated the academic community for its continuous pursuit of research “no matter how hard it is, at least in this country.”
Speaker Lita gave a brief introduction to the NRCP which was established in 1933 through Act 4120. One of its mandates is to “promote and support fundamental and basic research.” He encouraged the viewers to pursue membership in the NRCP as it is one of the primary requirements for them to obtain funding for their research. With 13 divisions, the NRCP currently has 5,000 members, majority of which are from the National Capital Region.
“All of our funding mechanisms are aligned to support the National Harmonized R&D Agenda of the DOST (Department of Science and Technology),” shared Lita as he elaborated on National Integrated Basic Research Agenda, which is the segment of the NRCP. Under the NIBRA are: Water Security, Food and Nutrition Security, Health Sufficiency, Clean Energy, Sustainable Communities, and Inclusive Nation-Building.
Lita also got to expound more on the membership process and requirements, as well as the types of research accommodated by the NRCP as he catered to specific questions sent by the audience. Many participants likewise expressed their interest in applying for the membership.
