THE MINISTRY of Science and Technology’s second batch of Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education scholarship program opened its application for 376 incoming freshmen college students across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“The BASE program aims to stimulate and entice talented Bangsamoro youth to pursue lifetime productive careers in science and technology. Each scholar will be granted a monthly cash allowance of P8,000,” said MOST-BARMM Minister Aida Silongan.

Silongan also said the program seeks to ensure a steady and adequate supply of qualified science and technology human resources to help the country in the future.

She added less-privileged but deserving students who belong to a family whose annual income does not exceed P250,000 annually, would be accepted in the scholarship program.

“Applicants should not be recipients of other scholarship programs, do not have any post-secondary or undergraduate units, pass the BASE program examination, and pursue a bachelor of science degree in any state university, college, or private higher education institution recognized by the Commission on Higher Education,” she added.

Silongan said applicants must pass the general qualification that includes being a natural-born Filipino citizen and a resident of BARMM, a general average of 85 percent, good moral character, and good health.

“One should also be included in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics strand senior high school graduating class. Those in the non-STEM strand, one should belong to the top 5 percent of his or her class,” she said.

Silongan encouraged interested applicants to visit the MOST-BARMM office inside the region’s government center or submit their applications online.

The deadline for submission is on June 2, while the date of the qualifying exam is on June 21-25.