Thesis and Dissertation Grant Program 2022

thesis and dissertation grant program 2023

The Thesis and Dissertation Grant Program of the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI) is an assistance program designed to provide financial support to students taking up masters and doctorate programs in Statistics or other related courses to facilitate the completion of their thesis or dissertation.

This assistance program is made available primarily to upgrade the overall quality of statistical manpower in the country. It gives priority to graduate students whose studies focus on the improvement of the Philippine Statistical System (PSS).

I. applicant QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for assistance under the program, an applicant must first meet the following qualification requirements:

Must be enrolled either in a masters or doctorate statistics program from a university or college in the Philippines or a graduate student of any course but whose research topic addresses one of the Philippine Statistical Development Plans (PSDPs) 2018-2023;
Has completed the academic requirements of the study;
Has a thesis/dissertation proposal that has passed the required thesis/dissertation proposal defense; and,
Research work is programmed to be completed within one semester if working on a thesis and two semesters if working on a dissertation.

II. APPLICATION PROCESS

A. Upon meeting all the qualification requirements, an applicant should submit the following documents to PSRTI through Ms. Christine O. Santiago, Statistical Analyst of the Research Division at 16th Floor, The Upper Class, Quezon Avenue corner Scout Reyes, Brgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City 1103, or through tdgp.psrti@gmail.com:

Accomplished application form (TDGP Application Form Revised 2023);
Letter of intent to apply for the program. For applicants not enrolled in a statistics program, the letter shall include a narrative stating how the research study would address item/s in the PSDP 2018-2023.
Endorsement letter issued by the dean/director of the institution where the applicant is currently enrolled;
Copy of the approved thesis or dissertation proposal covering introduction, review of related literature, and methodology;
Proposal defense approval sheet signed by the adviser and panel members, which must contain the comments of the panel members that will serve as a guide in revising the proposal and as proof for passing the thesis or dissertation proposal defense. This document usually includes a revision of the direction of the study; and,
A timetable of research work programmed to be completed as per Item II.A.5.

B. Upon receipt of the requirements, the TDGP Evaluation Committee shall assess the applications. The applicant may be called for by the TDGP Monitoring Committee to provide clarifications, if necessary.

C. In the event that the application is approved, the TDGP Monitoring Committee shall prepare the following:

Letter of Acceptance; and,
Contract of Thesis/Dissertation Grant explicitly stating the terms and conditions PSRTI for the conduct of the study.

SUBMISSION CLOSING DATE: MARCH 17, 2023

II. APPLICATION PROCESS FLOW

Table 1. Timeline of Application Process

Activity	Minimum Working Days	Maximum Working Days
Acknowledgment of application receipt and checking for completeness of documents	1	3
Evaluation of the study based on grant criteria	2	5
Submission of evaluation for approval/disapproval of the TDGP Steering Committee	1	5
Preparation of contracts of grants after Notice of Approval and Letter of Acceptance	1	5
Signing of contracts	1	5
Processing of first tranche payment of the grants after notarization of contracts	5	10
Total Number of Days	11	33

III. CRITERIA FOR THE APPROVAL OF the thesis GRANT

The applicant should pass all the qualification standards stated in Section I.A of this document and has submitted complete documents as stipulated in Section II.A. The Evaluation Committee shall use the following criteria in selecting grantees from the applicants:

Table 2. Criteria for Selecting Applicants

Criteria	Points
Graduate student of a statistics program	35
Study addresses one of the issues of the PSDP 2018-2023	45
Number of years of government service (0,1] = 2 points (1,3] = 5 points More than 3 years = 10 points	10
Use of country data	10
TOTAL	100

In the event that two applicants garnered the same score, a different set of criteria will be used to settle the tie.

Table 3. Criteria for Settling Ties

Criteria	Points
Review of Related Literature The proposal must contain a comprehensive review of existing relevant and similar studies.	25
Methodology The methodology is statistically sound: a. Relevant assumptions of the methodology are taken into account b. Statistical tools are used appropriately	40
Significance The results of the analysis must contribute significantly in furthering statistics’ body of knowledge or in solving the statistical needs of the society.	25
Novelty The paper must show the author(s) creativity and critical thinking in formulating the research problem and looking for solutions.	10
TOTAL	100

IV. AMOUNT OF GRANT

Under the program, a thesis grantee is entitled to Php50,000 and a dissertation grantee of Php100,000. The grant shall not hinder a grantee in seeking additional support from other institution/s for the said thesis or dissertation work.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GRANTEE

1

The grantee shall complete the research work within one semester, if a thesis grantee, or, within two semesters, if a dissertation grantee.

2

The grantee must submit a progress report upon accomplishing major milestones of the study (to be determined by the TDGP Evaluation Committee). The progress report shall be the basis for releasing the second tranche of the grant.

3

Upon completion of the thesis/dissertation, the grantee shall submit bound and soft copies of his/her thesis or dissertation covering the whole text and data of the output.

4

A completed thesis or dissertation is required to be presented first in any scientific conference or forum that is widely attended, such as, but not limited to, University of the Philippines Faculty-Student Conference, Annual Conference of the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc., National Statistics Month Celebration, or National Convention in Statistics. However, the grantee may be permitted to initially present the output in another forum other than that organized or co-sponsored by PSRTI only upon securing written permission from PSRTI. The required presentation shall serve as the basis for the release of the final tranche of the grant.

5

A government employee grantee shall be bound by the provisions, terms, and conditions of any other contract executed between the grantee and the government agency, without prejudice to the provisions, terms, and conditions of the contract executed between him/her and the PSRTI.

6

The thesis or dissertation of a grantee should always acknowledge that the output was made possible through the financial support of PSRTI.

VI. release and reimbursement of grant

Any grant provided under this program shall be released in accordance with the following arrangements:

1. It shall be released in three separate payments. The first payment shall be given after signing the grant contract, which indicates the formal start of the grant. The second payment shall be made upon completing major milestones of the study and submitting a progress report. The final payment shall be released upon submission of bound and soft copies of the thesis or dissertation and presentation as mentioned above.

Table 4. Basis of Grant Release

Grant Allocation	Requirement
1st Tranche: 30%	• Signed grant contract
2nd Tranche: 50%	• Completion of major milestones of the study • Submission of progress report
Final Tranche: 20%	• Submission of three bound copies and a soft copy of the thesis or dissertation • Presentation to a widely attended scientific conference or forum

2. Thesis or Dissertation work completed ahead of schedule shall entitle the grantee to the payment of the remaining balance of the grant.

VII. extension and termination

Any request for extension should be made in writing and endorsed by the grantee’s adviser but subject to the approval of the PSRTI. The maximum period of extension given to a thesis grantee to finish the work is one semester, while two semesters shall be allowed for a dissertation grantee.

Any request for an extension due to illness should be accompanied by supporting documents (e.g., a medical certificate from a duly recognized physician).
The grant may be terminated by either party upon a 30-day prior written notice if the other party commits a substantial breach of its undertaking to prevent completion of the grant and thereafter shall fail to take steps to remedy such breach.
For termination due to the grantee willfully failing to deliver the output as required; or has reneged in the responsibilities as grantee under the program (as stipulated in Section V), the PSRTI shall have the right to demand the 100% refund with prevailing bank interest rate compounded annually of the total payment made by PSRTI.