The number of examinees for the agency’s scholarship program increased from 80,000 last year to 113,000 last October. #DoSTscholarship

DoST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña meets students at the 2019 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits at the Technological Institute of the Philippines in Cubao, Quezon City on 7 November 2019. (FDP)

MANILA – The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) plans to offer up to 13,000 scholarships next year from nearly 10,000 offered this year.

The increase in scholarship slots is in order as the number of examinees for the agency’s scholarship program increased from 80,000 last year to 113,000 last October, said DoST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena on Monday.

The final figure, however, would depend on the approved budget of the agency for 2020 and its savings, said Dela Pena.

Dela Pena earlier said providing scholarships has always been among the DOST’s priorities to help develop the country’s human resources.

The DOST has supported a total of 36,772 scholars in 2018.

He renewed his call for Filipino students to pursue doctorate in science courses and advised them to take advantage of the DOST’s scholarship grants.