THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology has partnered with 12 higher education institutions for its Niche Centers in the Regions program to expedite the rollout of its quality research and development products amid the Covid19 pandemic.

The NICER program empowers HEIs to boost regional research by integrating development needs with the existing research and development capabilities and resources.

In 2020, DOST approved eight NICER programs to be implemented with 12 partner HEIs. DOST released funding amounting to P448 million.

This brings the total number of approved NICERs to 26.

Meanwhile, the CRADLE program in CY 2020 recorded a total of 38 approved projects with an aggregate budget allocation of P83.7 million.

Since the program started, the DOST has approved 63 CRADLE projects across 16 regions with accumulated approved funding of P285 million.

Under the CRADLE program, an industry partner identifies their problems requiring R&D to be performed by the academe or the R&D Institution. This strategy ensures that R&D provides solutions that exactly meet the unique needs of different industries.

The RD Lead program engaged 18 experts during the year bringing the total to 34 RD Leaders that are now deployed in 32 institutions in 16 regions. The program engages experts with strong leadership and management and innovative policy-making proficiencies to be in charge of strengthening the research capabilities of higher education or R&D institutions.