Plant Science Scholarship Program

(MS and PhD students: Philippine-based educational institutions)

Part 1. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION

I. Fields of Study:

Course work limited to the study of plant science (preferably plant taxonomy and systematics; minor in
any of the allied fields of ethnobotany, plant physiology, plant genetics, plant developmental biology, or
ecology)

II. Number of Awards:

For 2013-2014, the Program will provide scholarships for one (1) MS and one (1) PhD students

III. General eligibility criteria:

The plant science scholarship program is for Filipino graduate students of high proficiency with personal,
intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary in the field of study. Applicants must meet the
following eligibility criteria before their application will be considered against the selection criteria.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

Be a Filipino citizen, residing in the Philippines;

Have worked in the Philippines since completing the highest tertiary qualification gained to date,
preferably for at least two years prior to application, related to the eligible field of study;

Be a new MS or PhD student who satisfy the admission requirements of an eligible Philippine university
or college institution, at which the qualification will be undertaken OR meet the academic requirements
for their courses of study;
Not hold any other scholarship at the time of application and during the time of Scholarship;
Not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
Have a strong commitment and motivation to use their studies and experience that will benefit the
Philippines and the countrys development in general; and
Be able to complete the study within the academic years of scholarship offer.
IV. Application Requirements and Process

Applicants to the scholarship program must identify their desired course of study and provide evidence
of an offer of a place to study in any of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines.

In addition, applicants should submit the following:

A letter of intent
An updated copy of Curriculum Vitae
Authenticated copies of Academic Transcripts of Records and Diploma of the highest tertiary
qualification at the date of application;
At least two (2) recommendation letters from professors, advisers, supervisors and/or employers
(original copies, in sealed envelopes);
PhD students must also include evidence of correspondence with a potential supervisor.
Applications should be addressed and sent to:

The Executive Director

Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc.
Unit 11-1 VGP Center (former Manila Bank Building)
6772 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1223

Deadline of application: May 30, 2013 (for 1st Semester AY 2013-2014)

V. Selection Criteria and Process

This scholarship program is open to eligible individuals in the Philippines. Applicants will be selected on
merit of the proposed study, including its potential benefits to the communities and the country. Priority
will be given to applicants who have demonstrated high academic standards, especially in their
undergraduate degree.

Part 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I. Responsibilities

A. The Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), Inc. shall:

1. Provide funds for the following entitlements:

Full cost of tuition fees and other school fees;

Monthly Stipend of Php15,000 for Masters student and Php20,000 for PhD students;
Book allowance of Php5,000 per semester;
One round-trip transportation costs (economy-class and most direct route) from home to university
institution, but should not exceed Php30,000;
Monthly transportation allowance of Php1,000 per month;
Annual accident insurance;

For Masters and PhD Thesis/Dissertation, where research comprises more than 50% of the study
program, a thesis/dissertation grant, including provision for fieldwork/travel:
o Masters degree students: Php 200,000
o PhD degree students: Php 450,000
2. Regularly monitor the academic progress of the Scholars;

3. Provide necessary instruction, information, and services to complete the approved study program
within the minimum specified time: (a) two years for Masters degree student; and (b) 3 years for PhD
degree students; and

4. Provide the following incentives, as a grant-making institution:

Provide information and necessary arrangement for the Scholar to conduct his/her research on PTFCF
project sites;
Upon completion of the study program: include the Scholars name and contact details in the PTFCF pool
of experts on this field of study; provide the option and information on the possible consultancy
engagement in EDC; and/or provide the necessary information and arrangement to teach at a local
university.
B. For the Scholar (herein referred to as Scholar):

By accepting the scholarship program award, the Scholar shall:

1. Program of Study.

Take up the scholarshio on the semester/year that it is offered by PTFCF. The start date may be deferred
only in exceptional situations . In such event, the Scholar must receive the prior written approval from
PTFCF. If the Scholar has not commenced study at the end of the deferral period, the Scholarship offer
will be withdrawn;
Consider the approved study program and university institution appropriate and agree that such must
not be changed without the prior written approval from PTFCF;

Not transfer to a different study program without the prior written approval of PTFCF. In case PTFCF
approves a transfer , the Scholar shall: (a) arrange the transfer and meet all associated costs (including
the fees charged by either and/or both of the new and former university institution); and (b) if the
minimum time required to complete the new study program is less than the remaining time of the
scholarship, the duration of the scholarship will be reduced accordingly;
Understand that: (a) if a shorter period for study is needed than the stipulated offer by the scholarship
program, the length of the scholarship will be shortened accordingly; and (b) the scholarship program
only supports the completion of one qualification and will not provide for additional study forms (e.g.
bridging courses/study and/or obtaining any work experience) to satisfy the Scholarships requirement.
2. Continuation of the Scholarship and Academic Progress.

Undertake the approved study full time and comply with the regulations of the university institution and
meet all the academic requirements;
Achieve respectable cumulative grades in accordance with the continuation criteria set by the
scholarship program and the university institution, or otherwise, the Scholarship will be terminated. In
order for the scholarship assistance to continue, the Scholar must: (a) obtain and maintain a Cumulative
General Weighted Average (CWAG) of 2.00 or above and fail no more than one (1) subject per semester
for MS degree students, and 1.75 or above in all courses in his/her program of study for PhD degree
students; and (b) meet the university institutions continuation criteria, such as the minimum CWAG,
required for credit towards the continuation/completion of the degree;
Submit a semestral report to PTFCF detailing the grades acquired per academic subject and CWAG, to
provide information on the eligibility for the Scholarship assistance to continue;
For Scholars who are undertaking research for thesis/dissertation, submit a copy of the university
institution approved research proposal (for PTFCF's information only).
3. Completion of the study program.

Submit final copies of academic report (diploma, authenticated Transcript of Records) and/or
thesis/dissertation to PTFCF;
Return to work for the equivalent years of the Scholarships duration, in order for his/her study to be
applied and used by the local communities and the development of the country in general; and
Not work outside the Philippines within the equivalent years of the Scholarships duration of scholarship
completion.
II. Payment Provision and Schedule

The initial payment will be made no more than one month prior to the beginning of the university
institutions academic year/semester. This payment will include actual costs of the semesters tuition fee
and other school fees, a one-month stipend and transportation allowance, provided that the Scholar
completes all the required documents and submits to PTFCF a copy of the Registration Form detailing
the semesters fees. Any remaining installments will be paid on a monthly basis during the month
following the period when the initial payment is made. The Scholars transportation from home to the
university institution and provision for accident insurance coverage will be arranged by PTFCF.

Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, PTFCF shall make the payment for
thesis/dissertation grant available to the Scholar in payments as follows:

For Masters degree students:

One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for
continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon notification of request by the
Scholar (first tranche fund release).
Ninety thousand pesos (Php90,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for
continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon submission of first tranche
financial report (last tranche fund release less 10% retention).
Ten thousand pesos (Php10,000) representing 10% of the last tranche fund requirement upon
submission and acceptance of the final technical (including the requirements stated in Item I.B.3) and
financial reports.
For PhD degree students:

One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for
continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon notification of request by the
Scholar (first tranche fund release).
Two-time subsequent payment of One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000) each (for a total of Two
hundred thousand pesos (Php200,000)) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for
continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and submission of the second and third
tranche financial reports, respectively.

One hundred and thirty-five thousand pesos (Php135,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of
the Scholar for continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon submission of third
tranche financial report (last tranche fund release less 10% retention).
Fifteen thousand pesos (Php15,000) representing 10% of the last tranche fund requirement upon
submission and acceptance of the final technical (including the requirements stated in Item I.B.3) and
financial reports.
The payments described above shall be made to the Scholars bank account, in which information will be
provided to the PTFCF.

III. Information Sharing

PTFCF, through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all reasonable times, to access and
exchange information (including the provision of academic results) with the university institution,
government, and/or other qualified authorities (as may be deemed relevant) for the purposes of: (a)
placement and monitoring the scholarship; (b) calculations of benefits or repayment of any debt
payable, or to monitor continuing eligibility. PTFCF holds the right to disclose details of the scholarship,
personal or academic information to persons and/or organizations approved by PTFCF for the purposes
of: (a) administration, management and monitoring of the study and scholarship; (b) statistical analysis
in monitoring and evaluating the merit of the Plant Conservation Scholarship Program. PTFCF may also
provide the Scholars name and contact details to persons and/or agencies approved by PTFCF wishing
to arrange publicity, social or other activities for PTFCF.

The Scholar shall be responsible to acknowledge PTFCF in any publishable material produced using the
Scholarship fund. Any experiences on the scholarship shared publicly (via web-based channels and
media, blogs, social network, etc.) are otherwise the responsibility of the Scholar and should not be
acknowledged as an official PTFCF website or blog, and that the views and information presented are
their own and do not represent PTFCF. Any Scholar who posts inappropriate or offensive material on the
Internet in relation to the Plant Conservation Scholarship Program may be subject to revocation or
termination of their scholarship assistance.

IV. Termination of Scholarship

PTFCF will terminate the Scholarship if the Scholar breach any conditions stated herein or act in a
manner that will disrepute PTFCF and the university institution, including if the Scholar made a false or

misleading statement, or omitted necessary information on his/her application to the plant science
scholarship program.

The Scholar understands and agrees that if the conditions stated herein are breached, the Scholar will
be responsible for repaying the equivalent amount of Scholarship fund disbursed at the point, including
tax if any. Any such refund will be a debt payable to PTFCF and payment will be enforceable under
Philippine law and by-laws of PTFCF.