The Department of Science and Technology brings back this year its Balik Scientist Program, which was established in 1975.
The program has been meant to encourage overseas Filipino scientists and technicians to return or reside in the Philippines and share their expertise to hasten the scientific, agro-industrial and economic development of the country.
A balik scientist is one who is a science and technology expert, of Filipino citizenship or a foreigner of Filipino descent, residing abroad and contracted by the government to return and work in the Philippines.
Balik scientists are either long-term experts, short-term experts, or new graduates in any of the following fields of expertise: alternative fuel, biotechnology, information and communications technology, pharmaceutical, and environment including disaster management.
The program gives incentives to balik scientists in the form of awards: Roundtrip airfare (including his/her spouse and two minor dependents), relocation allowance, housing allowance, and health insurance.
It further provides tuition fee assistance for every school year of the balik scientist's two direct minor dependents, transportation assistance, grant-in-aid for research projects approved by the DOST, and more.
The program's has been intended for the development of new technologies, promotion of information exchange, and strengthening of scientific and technological human resource of the country's academe, industry, and public/private institutions.
The DOST still continues to send out invitations and encourage applicants for the program. For interested applicants, BSP forms are available in all DOST Offices or you can visit the website at http://www.dost.gov.ph/bsp. - Cristina V. Roso, UP-MassCom intern/RAE