Objective of BSP

To encourage highly-trained overseas Filipino

scientists and technologists, experts, and professionals
to return to the Philippines and share their expertise
for the acceleration of the scientific, agro-industrial and
economic development of the country.

Target Balik Scientist per Year

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
41 44 47 50 53
In 2015: Total: 2018 - 2022 Target by 2022:
281 RSE 235
300 RSE
personnel/ personnel/
million of million of
population population
1
Who is qualified under the Program?
Balik Scientist – A science and technology expert
who is a Filipino citizen or a
foreigner of Filipino descent,
residing abroad and contracted to
return and work in the Philippines
along his/her expertise

New Graduate – A Scientist who has obtained

his/her doctorate degree for not
more than 2 years prior to filing of
application to the Program
2
Who is qualified as Balik Scientist:
• Must be in good health, physically and mentally;
• Holder of a graduate degree; Applicant with highly
specialized skill without graduate degree may be qualified
on special cases.
• Must have practised his/her profession for not less than
three (3) years;
• Must have made an outstanding contribution to his/her
field of specialization;
• With expertise consistent with the DOST S&T priority
areas
• Willing to work in addressing need/problem and creating
impact that is mutually acceptable to DOST and Host
institution; 3
Who is qualified as New Graduate:
• Must be in good health, physically and mentally;

• Holder of a doctorate degree;

• Must have made an outstanding contribution to his/her

field of specialization;

• Field of study is consistent with the DOST S&T priority

areas and is willing to work in addressing the need
/problem and creating impact that is mutually acceptable
to DOST and Host institution;

4
 DOST Priority Areas (per HNRDA) under Agriculture, Aquatic & Natural
Resources Sector:

No. of target Balik Scientist

per year

GAP*
Priority Areas with identified gap

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

total
Crops R&D 18 3 3 4 4 4 18
-Varietal improvement and selection
-Production of quality seed and planting materials
-Cultural Management Practices
-Postharvest, processing and product development
-Germplasm evaluation, conservation, utilization & management
Forestry R&D Agenda 4 1 1 1 1 4
-Sustainable management practices
-Production protocols for the propagation of forest products
-Harvesting/Post harvest techniques/technologies
-Development of HYVs of timber species w/ superior traits
Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction 4 1 1 1 1 4
-Mitigation and adaptation studies
-Smart farming and climate-resilient production technologies
-Decision management tools for climate change resilient environment

*Number of experts needed to fill the gap 5

 No. of target Balik Scientist

GAP*
Priority Areas with identified gap

2018
2019

2020

2021

2022

total
Aquatic R&D Agenda 10 2 2 2 2 2 10
-Applications of genomics and genetics, fish resistance to climate change,
molecular phylogenetics
-New cultivable species for culture & Dev’t/Refinement of culture systems
-Fish health, disease diagnostics and disease management
-Nutrition, feeds and feeding system
-Mechanization/automation systems, culture management
-Fishkill warning and mitigation systems
-Management of fisheries
-Postharvest handling, processing and new product development
Natural Resources and Environment R&D 7 1 1 1 2 2 7
-Biodiversity conservation and management
-Watershed management and utilization
-Management and rehabilitation of polluted soils through remediation
-Strategies/decision management tools for climate change
-Resource and ecosystems assessment and monitoring
-Marine environmental management
-Management systems for unique landscapes and ecosystems
-Product development from agro-forestry waste
-Habitat management for fishery and ecosystem sustainability
*Number of experts needed to fill the gap
6
 No. of target Balik Scientist

GAP*
Priority Areas with identified gap

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

total
Technology Transfer 5 1 1 1 1 1 5
-Traditional extension modalities for tech transfers
-Upscaling of agri-techtransfer and commercialization
Socio-economics and Policy Research 6 2 1 1 1 1 6
-Review of policies affecting AANR
-Agricultural trade, value-chain, R&D governance, and standard
compliance issues on AANR
-Production and marketing efficiencies, technology adoption, social
enterprise model, GAD
-Policy studies on global competitiveness of Philippine AANR sector
-Impact assessment of technologies, AANR programs & projects
Livestock R&D Agenda 6 1 1 1 1 2 6
-Reproductive biotechniques
-Nutrition, feed and feeding system
-Vaccine, biologics and diagnostics development
-Detection of chemical residues/antimicrobial resistance
-Production and management decision support systems
-Product development and processing
-Breed development and genetic improvement
-Conservation and improvement of native animals
Total 60 10 11 12 13 14 60
7
*Number of experts needed to fill the gap
 DOST Priority Areas (per HNRDA) under the Health Sector:
Priority Areas with identified gap GAP* No. of target Balik Scientist per year
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 total
Global Competitiveness and Health
Innovation
- Drug Discovery and Development 10 2 2 2 2 2 10
- Diagnostics 10 2 2 2 2 2 10
- Functional Foods 5 1 1 1 2 5
- Hospital Equipment and Biomedical 5 1 1 2 1 5
Devices
- Information and Communication 5 1 1 2 1 5
Technology for Health
- Omic Technologies for Health 10 2 2 2 2 2 10
Research to enhance and extend healthy 20 4 4 3 5 4 20
lives
Health resiliency 10 2 1 4 3 10
Total 75 13 14 15 16 17 75
8
*Number of experts needed to fill the gap
 DOST Priority Areas (per HNRDA) under Industry, Energy
and Emerging Technologies Sector:
Priority Areas with identified gap GAP* No. of target Balik Scientist per year
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 total
Food Safety and Quality 12 2 2 2 3 3 12

Country-side Development 17 4 4 3 3 3 17
-Agro-processing and value-adding
-Natural Products Development
-Improvement of textile processing
-Halal processing technologies (food and
non-food)
-Metrology and testing Methods for
Laboratory Analysis
-Shop Floor R&D and Innovations
-Regional Consortia R&D

*Number of experts needed to fill the gap

9
 DOST Priority Areas (per HNRDA) under Industry, Energy
and Emerging Technologies Sector:
Priority Areas with identified gap GAP* No. of target Balik Scientist per year
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 total
Competitive Industry 18 3 3 4 4 4 18
-ICT, Electronics and Semi-conductor
-Mining and Minerals
-Metals and Engineering
-New Construction Materials and
Techniques
-Packaging
-Industrial application for nuclear
technology
Delivery of Social Services 15 3 3 3 3 3 15
-Environmental and Pollution Control
-Space Technology Application
Intelligent Transportation Solution 9 1 2 2 2 2 9
-Alternative Mass Transport Systems
-Traffic/Mobility

*Number of experts needed to fill the gap 10

 DOST Priority Areas (per HNRDA) under Industry, Energy
and Emerging Technologies Sector:
Priority Areas with identified gap GAP* No. of target Balik Scientist per year
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 total
Renewable Energy and Energy 11 2 2 2 2 3 11
Storage Solution
Human Security 8 1 1 2 2 2 8
Disaster Risk Reduction and 10 2 2 2 2 2 10
Adaptation
Total 100 18 19 20 21 22 100

*Number of experts needed to fill the gap 11

Who is qualified as Host Institution:
 Public or private agency or institution (academe or
industry) that needs the assistance of the Government
to tap Filipino experts who are based abroad

 Public or private agency or institution (academe or

industry) that shall provide necessary resources and
counterpart incentives for the Balik Scientist, such as:
 Office Space
 Accommodation
 Transportation

12
 Type of Engagement and Incentives for the
Balik Scientist:
SHORT TERM CATEGORY LONG TERM CATEGORY
(30 to 90 days) (2 to 3 years)
 Roundtrip Airfare of  One-Way Airfare of Scientist
Scientist  One-Way Airfare of Spouse
 One-Way Airfare of Two (2) Minor Dependents
 Pre-paid return airfare for the Scientist,
spouse and 2 minor dependents after
satisfactorily serving his/her contract
 Freight, Excess Baggage and Shipping
Expenses
 GIA funding for research (proposal driven)
 Living Allowance/Daily Salary/honorarium of scientist c/o host
Subsistence Allowance institution
(USD 150/day) 13
Activities of a Balik Scientist:
 Introduction of new technologies

14
Activities of a Balik Scientist:
 R&D
Collaborations

Philippine National Ear Institute and Dr. Regie Lyn Santos-Cortez

Identification of Genetic Variants that predispose to Otitis Media
 Collaboration with International Universities and R&D
Institutions

UP
EEEI

15
Activities of a Balik Scientist:
 Science and Technology Capacity Development
 Lectures and Seminars  Workshops and Hands-
on Training

Dr. Doralyn Dalisay

Dr. Aldwin Anterola Dr. Jesusa Legazpi Workshop of Analytical Methods
The Quest for the Holy Grail of Floriculture: Evaluation of Mustard Plants and Commercial Oil as University of San Agustin
The Blue Rose repelant against whitefly pests
University of the Philippines, Los Baños,
Laguna
De La Salle University, Manila

Dr. Romulo De Castro Dr. Jonel Saludes and Dr. Doralyn Dalisay Dr. Mark Ihrwell Petalcorin
Lecture Series in Health Research and Perspective on Drug Discovery and Delivery Research Therapeutic Research Application
Informatics Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Talisay, Negros of CRISPR/Cas9
Mindanao State University – Iligan Occidental De La Salle University, Manila
Instutute of Technology 16
 Deployment of Cluster No. Host Institutions
Assisted
Total No. of
Deployment
Balik Scientists Northern Luzon 7 24

Nationwide: Southern Luzon

Visayas
62
14
267
30
Mindanao 15 22
TOTAL 98 343
Percentage Share per
Type of Host Institution
9, 9%
15, 15%

15, 16%
47, 48%
12, 12%

UP System Academe
(2007-2017): DOST Agencies Other Gov't Agencies
98 Host Institutions Industry/NGO/Others 17
 Country of Origin of Balik Scientists:
Europe, 18 (8.8%)
North America,
143 (70.1%) Asia, 26 (12.7%)

Africa, 1 (0.5%)
Australia,16 (7.8%)

137, 67% 67, 33%

(2007-2017): 204 Balik Scientists; 36 out of the 204

Balik Scientists were repatriated (as of March2018)24
source: Image from Spatial Horizons (http://spatialhorizons.com/)
 Distribution of Balik Scientist Engagement:
By Sector By Type

Type of engagements
42, 14%
Long-term 26
73, 25% 176, 61%

Short-term 265

Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies 0 100 200 300

Health
Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources No. of engagements

2007-2017: 291 Engagements of the 204 Balik Scientist

30
Types of engagements of a Balik Scientist
(based on the BICAM version, March 6, 2018) :

Short-term Program:
-minimum of 15 days and maximum of 6months per award;
to be served within 1 year from the date of award.

Medium-term Program:
- More than 6 months but not exceeding 1 year per award; to
be served within 2-3 years from the date of award.

Long-term Program:
- More than 1 year to 3 years, subject to renewal; to be
served within 5 years from the date of award.

32
Additional Incentives for Balik Scientists (based
on the BICAM version, March 6, 2018) :
General Incentives:
1. Exemption from licensing or permitting requirements of the
PRC
2. Accident and medical insurance covering the duration of
engagement
3. Exemption from renouncing their oath of allegiance to the
country where they took the oath

Short-term Program Incentives:

1. Application for a visa duly subsidized and facilitated by DOST
(if applicable)
2. Participation in the Grants-in-Aid (GIA) R&D projects of the
DOST
33
Additional Incentives for Balik Scientists (based
on the BICAM version) :
Medium-term Program Incentives:
1. One round-trip airfare originating from a foreign country to the
Philippines, exempt from Philippine travel tax;
2. Application for a visa duly subsidized and facilitated by DOST
(if applicable)
3. Tax exempt daily allowance to be determined by DOST
4. Participation in the Grants-in-Aid (GIA) R&D projects of the
DOST

Long-term Program Incentives:

1. Special Relocation Benefits
2. Funding for the establishment and development of a facility or
laboratory 34
To avail of the Balik Scientist Program, please contact the
concerned DOST-Council:
 Health Sector
Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director
Philippine Council for Health Reseach and Development (PCHRD)
Address: DOST Compound, General Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, Phillippines
e-mail : pchrd.bspsecretariat@gmail.com
Tel. No.: 632-837-2071 local 2117/ 632-8372924
 Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies Sector
Engr. Raul Sabularse, Officer-In-Charge
Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development
(PCIEERD)
Address: 5/F Philippine Science Heritage Center, DOST Compound, General Santos Ave.,
Bicutan, Taguig City, Phillippines
e-mail: pcieerdhridd@gmail.com
Tel. No.: 632-837-2071 local 2101/ 632-553-8637
 Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Sector
Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD)
Address: Brgy. Timugan, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
e-mail: balikscientist_pcaarrd@yahoo.com,
Tel. No.: (6349) 536-4990 35
36