DOST-NRCP, MOST-BARMM Collaborate to Expand NRCP Membership in BARMM

Over 200 faculty members and researchers from different academic institutions across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were introduced to the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) and the opportunities that come with NRCP membership during separate events held in May 2025 in Davao City and Tawi-Tawi.

The attendees came from Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO), MSU-Sulu, Sulu State College, Mahardika Institute of Technology Inc. (MIT), Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College (TRAC), among others. The events were organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOST-BARMM).

During the NRCP Membership and Application Procedures (MAP) Orientation, Ms. Mary Charlotte O. Fresco, Senior Science Research Specialist (SRS) from DOST-NRCP, guided participants through the membership qualifications, requirements, and the online application process via the Scientific Knowledge Management System (SKMS). Meanwhile, Ms. Karizza C. Yambao, SRS II, encouraged eligible researchers to apply, highlighting the benefits of joining NRCP—such as access to research funding, expert networks, and professional development platforms.

This NRCP membership orientation was part of the capacity-building workshop and the HI-REACH Health Research and Development Caravan, organized by MOST-BARMM to enhance researchers’ capabilities. The workshop focused on proposal development, alignment of proposals with DOST, NRCP and MOST-BARMM priority areas, identifying funding opportunities, and crafting policy briefs and other research communication materials.

Under the NRCP Expert Engagement Program (NEEP), NRCP members served as technical resource speakers during the workshops. Dr. Butch G. Bataller, Dr. Mayzonee N. Ligaray, Dr. Ira C. Valenzuela, and Dr. Nathan Ray Alim led sessions on technical writing and proposal packaging, while Dr. Sheila V. Siar delivered a lecture on science communication titled Preparing an Effective Policy Brief.

Despite BARMM’s immense potential, the region currently has only 85 NRCP members, consisting of 75 Associate Members, 9 Regular Members, and 7 Honorary Members. Through its collaboration with MOST-BARMM, DOST-NRCP is working to make membership more accessible and inclusive across the region. 

By strengthening collaborative research efforts, and championing evidence-based science policy, DOST-NRCP and MOST-BARMM aim to boost local research output and empower BARMM’s researchers, scientists, engineers, and artists. (Al James A. Manua, S&T Media Service)

Group representatives presented their innovative research concept proposals during the grant proposal presentation session of the 3-day Technical Writing and Proposal Packaging Writeshop and NRCP Membership Application Procedure (MAP) Orientation held at MSU-TCTO on May 27–29, 2025.
Participants writing research proposals during the 3-day Technical Writing and Proposal Packaging Writeshop and NRCP Membership Application Procedure (MAP) Orientation held in Davao City on May 20–22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Ministry of Science and Technology-BARMM)
Group representatives presented their innovative policy briefs during the policy brief presentation session of the 2-day Science Communication Training: Preparing an Effective Policy Brief and NRCP Membership Application Procedure (MAP) Orientation conducted in Davao City on May 20-21, 2025. (Photo courtesy of BARMM Health Research and Development Consortium)