This year, the Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium (CLHRDC) is pleased to announce the call for capsule research proposals for possible funding under the Regional Research Fund (RRF) of the  Philippine Council for Research and Development Council (PCHRD) of the DOST. This program is intended for interested researchers and faculty members of the consortium’s member-institutions.

To further enhance the efforts of CLHRDC in encouraging the pursuit of health R&D activities in the region, PCHRD is offering funding support under the RRF mechanism up to a maximum amount of PhP 300,000.00 for a qualified project.  This fund is a tool to encourage new researchers to be actively involved in health research activities without having to compete with more experienced researchers and obtain experience by implementing simple yet relevant health research projects. This funding opportunity also encourages research collaboration among state universities and colleges (SUCs), private higher education institutions and government R&D institutes in the region.

In order to be eligible for funding assistance under the RRF, research proposals must be be aligned with the 2011-2016 Research Priorities of the PCHRD. Ten (10) proposals will be selected and endorsed to PCHRD after the regional evaluation. The priority areas are:

1. Drug Discovery and Development:

Discovery of new drugs from natural substances (herbal and marine/terrestrial sources) which can be developed up to the pre-clinical stage for common infectious diseases and lifestyle-related disorders.

(PCHRD commissioned Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go for the preparation of a roadmap for drug discovery and development )

2. Development of Diagnostic kits for Priority Diseases:

Development of diagnostic tests (point of care and confirmatory) for priority infectious and lifestyle-related diseases for the early detection and/or prediction of disease and mortality, utilizing existing technologies that are off-patient or lapsed technology and/or novel technology.

(dengue and dengue-like illnesses; MDR/XTR TB; drug-resistant malaria; influenza-like illnesses leptospirosis; sepsis; myocardial infarction; colorectal cancer; stroke, diabetes mellitus; and breast cancers )

3. Genomic and Molecular Technology:

Use of information in the human genome in the design of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic devices or products.

(e.g. biomarkers for early detection of diseases and target markers for treatment; personalized medicine; adult stem cells; biologics)

4. ICT for Health:

Development of user-friendly ICT solutions to accelerate the gathering and processing of health-related information for policy making and to deliver quality health care services.

(e.g. Public health surveillance/health intelligence systems; telehealth services and systems; interface for ICT-enabled devices)

5. Hospital Equipment and Biomedical Devices:

Development of affordable, safe and reliable hospital equipment and biomedical devices. (e.g. ventilator/respirator; prosthesis; minimally-invasive surgery and rehabilitation equipment and e=instruments using optics and robotics)

The capsule proposal should contain the following information to be considered for evaluation:

1. Project Information:
   1. Project Title
   2. Project Leader and Researchers (include field of expertise)
   3. Lead Institution
   4. Cooperating Institution
   5. Significance of the Proposal
   6. Brief Literature Review
   7. Project Objectives
   8. Brief Methodology
   9. Estimated budgetary requirements

You may also visit the PCHRD website to view the list of pipeline, on-going and completed projects that are funded by PCHRD-DOST: http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/list-of-r-d-projects.

We look forward to your favorable response to our call for proposals. Thank you!

Please submit your capsule proposals to:

CENTRAL LUZON HEALTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM

c/o Department of Science & Technology Regional Office No. III

DM Government Center, Barangay Maimpis

City of San Fernando, Pampanga

Deadline for the submission of capsule proposals:

June 15, 2013

The Central Luzon Health Research and Development Consortium had a fruitful participation in the 6^th annual celebration of the Philippine National Health Research Systems Week held on August 8-10, 2012 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila. The 3-day celebration focused on the theme: “Sustaining Research Partnerships for Better Health”, and was highlighted by research paper presentations, poster exhibits and consortia contests.

CLHRDC submitted entries both in the professional and student research categories and were able to bring home distinguished awards and citations, including the following:

In the professional category, Erwin C. Mina of Tarlac State University, presented his paper on “Chemical and Anti-Tubercular Screening on the Leaves of Jathropa Multifida Linn”.

An entry in the Poster Exhibit Contest (Professional Category) submitted by Mabel Rialubin Ebalo of Ramon Magsaysay Technological University entitled “Implementation of Healthcare Waste Segregation among Government Hospitals in Zambales” won runner-up honors. The following entries were also submitted by other member-institutions in the Student Category:

With each staging of this annual event, CLHRDC is proving itself to be a potent force in health-related researches as it continues to reap awards and recognition in its efforts to improve and encourage more collaborative health research projects.