The City Council is moving to pass an ordinance that will provide funding support for research initiatives aimed at addressing urban challenges and advancing Baguio's goal of becoming a “Smart City.”

The proposed measure, titled the “Baguio City Research Grant Program,” seeks to encourage local researchers, students, institutions, and community organizations to develop evidence-based solutions that promote sustainable development and cultural preservation.

An initial fund of P2 million will be allocated from the city’s General Fund for the program’s implementation, with succeeding allocations to be included in the annual budget. Approved research proposals may receive grants ranging from P50,000 to P200,000, depending on the scope, duration, and projected impact of the project.

The program will be open to bona fide Baguio residents who have lived in the city for at least two years. Eligible applicants include undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in local universities, faculty researchers, community-based organizations, NGOs with research capability, and independent researchers with published academic work.

Research must focus on key thematic areas aligned with the city's development priorities, such as urban planning and sustainable development; climate change adaptation, agriculture, and environmental conservation; indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage; public health and social welfare; education and youth development; and local economic development and tourism.

The initiative aims to strengthen Baguio’s identity as a center of learning and cultural heritage while fostering innovation-driven problem solving.

The ordinance has been approved on second reading and awaits further deliberation.