Plant Science Scholarship Program

(MS and PhD students: Philippine-based educational institutions)

Part 1. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION

I. Fields of Study:

Course work limited to the study of plant science (preferably plant taxonomy and systematics; minor in any of the allied fields of ethnobotany, plant physiology, plant genetics, plant developmental biology, or ecology)

II. Number of Awards:

For 2013-2014, the Program will provide scholarships for one (1) MS and one (1) PhD students

III. General eligibility criteria:

The plant science scholarship program is for Filipino graduate students of high proficiency with personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary in the field of study. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria before their application will be considered against the selection criteria.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

Be a Filipino citizen, residing in the Philippines;

Have worked in the Philippines since completing the highest tertiary qualification gained to date, preferably for at least two years prior to application, related to the eligible field of study;

Be a new MS or PhD student who satisfy the admission requirements of an eligible Philippine university or college institution, at which the qualification will be undertaken OR meet the academic requirements for their courses of study;

Not hold any other scholarship at the time of application and during the time of Scholarship;

Not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;

Have a strong commitment and motivation to use their studies and experience that will benefit the Philippines and the country’s development in general; and

Be able to complete the study within the academic years of scholarship offer.

IV. Application Requirements and Process

Applicants to the scholarship program must identify their desired course of study and provide evidence of an offer of a place to study in any of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines.

In addition, applicants should submit the following:

A letter of intent

An updated copy of Curriculum Vitae

Authenticated copies of Academic Transcripts of Records and Diploma of the highest tertiary qualification at the date of application;

At least two (2) recommendation letters from professors, advisers, supervisors and/or employers (original copies, in sealed envelopes);

PhD students must also include evidence of correspondence with a potential supervisor.

Applications should be addressed and sent to:

The Executive Director

Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc.

Unit 11-1 VGP Center (former Manila Bank Building)

6772 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1223

Deadline of application: May 30, 2013 (for 1st Semester AY 2013-2014)

V. Selection Criteria and Process

This scholarship program is open to eligible individuals in the Philippines. Applicants will be selected on merit of the proposed study, including its potential benefits to the communities and the country. Priority will be given to applicants who have demonstrated high academic standards, especially in their undergraduate degree.

Part 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I. Responsibilities

A. The Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), Inc. shall:

1. Provide funds for the following entitlements:

Full cost of tuition fees and other school fees;

Monthly Stipend of Php15,000 for Masters student and Php20,000 for PhD students;

Book allowance of Php5,000 per semester;

One round-trip transportation costs (economy-class and most direct route) from home to university institution, but should not exceed Php30,000;

Monthly transportation allowance of Php1,000 per month;

Annual accident insurance;

For Masters and PhD Thesis/Dissertation, where research comprises more than 50% of the study program, a thesis/dissertation grant, including provision for fieldwork/travel:

o Masters degree students: Php 200,000

o PhD degree students: Php 450,000

2. Regularly monitor the academic progress of the Scholars;

3. Provide necessary instruction, information, and services to complete the approved study program within the minimum specified time: (a) two years for Masters degree student; and (b) 3 years for PhD degree students; and

4. Provide the following incentives, as a grant-making institution:

Provide information and necessary arrangement for the Scholar to conduct his/her research on PTFCF project sites;

Upon completion of the study program: include the Scholar’s name and contact details in the PTFCF pool of experts on this field of study; provide the option and information on the possible consultancy engagement in EDC; and/or provide the necessary information and arrangement to teach at a local university.

B. For the Scholar (herein referred to as “Scholar”):

By accepting the scholarship program award, the Scholar shall:

1. Program of Study.

Take up the scholarshio on the semester/year that it is offered by PTFCF. The start date may be deferred only in exceptional situations . In such event, the Scholar must receive the prior written approval from PTFCF. If the Scholar has not commenced study at the end of the deferral period, the Scholarship offer will be withdrawn;

Consider the approved study program and university institution appropriate and agree that such must not be changed without the prior written approval from PTFCF;

Not transfer to a different study program without the prior written approval of PTFCF. In case PTFCF approves a transfer , the Scholar shall: (a) arrange the transfer and meet all associated costs (including the fees charged by either and/or both of the new and former university institution); and (b) if the minimum time required to complete the new study program is less than the remaining time of the scholarship, the duration of the scholarship will be reduced accordingly;

Understand that: (a) if a shorter period for study is needed than the stipulated offer by the scholarship program, the length of the scholarship will be shortened accordingly; and (b) the scholarship program only supports the completion of one qualification and will not provide for additional study forms (e.g. bridging courses/study and/or obtaining any work experience) to satisfy the Scholarship’s requirement.

2. Continuation of the Scholarship and Academic Progress.

Undertake the approved study full time and comply with the regulations of the university institution and meet all the academic requirements;

Achieve respectable cumulative grades in accordance with the continuation criteria set by the scholarship program and the university institution, or otherwise, the Scholarship will be terminated. In order for the scholarship assistance to continue, the Scholar must: (a) obtain and maintain a Cumulative General Weighted Average (CWAG) of 2.00 or above and fail no more than one (1) subject per semester for MS degree students, and 1.75 or above in all courses in his/her program of study for PhD degree students; and (b) meet the university institution’s continuation criteria, such as the minimum CWAG, required for credit towards the continuation/completion of the degree;

Submit a semestral report to PTFCF detailing the grades acquired per academic subject and CWAG, to provide information on the eligibility for the Scholarship assistance to continue;

For Scholars who are undertaking research for thesis/dissertation, submit a copy of the university institution approved research proposal (for PTFCF's information only).

3. Completion of the study program.

Submit final copies of academic report (diploma, authenticated Transcript of Records) and/or thesis/dissertation to PTFCF;

Return to work for the equivalent years of the Scholarship’s duration, in order for his/her study to be applied and used by the local communities and the development of the country in general; and

Not work outside the Philippines within the equivalent years of the Scholarship’s duration of scholarship completion.

II. Payment Provision and Schedule

The initial payment will be made no more than one month prior to the beginning of the university institution’s academic year/semester. This payment will include actual costs of the semester’s tuition fee and other school fees, a one-month stipend and transportation allowance, provided that the Scholar completes all the required documents and submits to PTFCF a copy of the Registration Form detailing the semester’s fees. Any remaining installments will be paid on a monthly basis during the month following the period when the initial payment is made. The Scholar’s transportation from home to the university institution and provision for accident insurance coverage will be arranged by PTFCF.

Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, PTFCF shall make the payment for thesis/dissertation grant available to the Scholar in payments as follows:

• For Masters degree students:

One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon notification of request by the Scholar (first tranche fund release).

Ninety thousand pesos (Php90,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon submission of first tranche financial report (last tranche fund release less 10% retention).

Ten thousand pesos (Php10,000) representing 10% of the last tranche fund requirement upon submission and acceptance of the final technical (including the requirements stated in Item I.B.3) and financial reports.

• For PhD degree students:

One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon notification of request by the Scholar (first tranche fund release).

Two-time subsequent payment of One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000) each (for a total of Two hundred thousand pesos (Php200,000)) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and submission of the second and third tranche financial reports, respectively.

One hundred and thirty-five thousand pesos (Php135,000) upon evaluation of PTFCF on the eligibility of the Scholar for continuing Scholarship assistance (as detailed in Item I.B.2) and upon submission of third tranche financial report (last tranche fund release less 10% retention).

Fifteen thousand pesos (Php15,000) representing 10% of the last tranche fund requirement upon submission and acceptance of the final technical (including the requirements stated in Item I.B.3) and financial reports.

The payments described above shall be made to the Scholar’s bank account, in which information will be provided to the PTFCF.

III. Information Sharing

PTFCF, through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all reasonable times, to access and exchange information (including the provision of academic results) with the university institution, government, and/or other qualified authorities (as may be deemed relevant) for the purposes of: (a) placement and monitoring the scholarship; (b) calculations of benefits or repayment of any debt payable, or to monitor continuing eligibility. PTFCF holds the right to disclose details of the scholarship, personal or academic information to persons and/or organizations approved by PTFCF for the purposes of: (a) administration, management and monitoring of the study and scholarship; (b) statistical analysis in monitoring and evaluating the merit of the Plant Conservation Scholarship Program. PTFCF may also provide the Scholar’s name and contact details to persons and/or agencies approved by PTFCF wishing to arrange publicity, social or other activities for PTFCF.

The Scholar shall be responsible to acknowledge PTFCF in any publishable material produced using the Scholarship fund. Any experiences on the scholarship shared publicly (via web-based channels and media, blogs, social network, etc.) are otherwise the responsibility of the Scholar and should not be acknowledged as an official PTFCF website or blog, and that the views and information presented are their own and do not represent PTFCF. Any Scholar who posts inappropriate or offensive material on the Internet in relation to the Plant Conservation Scholarship Program may be subject to revocation or termination of their scholarship assistance.

IV. Termination of Scholarship

PTFCF will terminate the Scholarship if the Scholar breach any conditions stated herein or act in a manner that will disrepute PTFCF and the university institution, including if the Scholar made a false or

misleading statement, or omitted necessary information on his/her application to the plant science scholarship program.

The Scholar understands and agrees that if the conditions stated herein are breached, the Scholar will be responsible for repaying the equivalent amount of Scholarship fund disbursed at the point, including tax if any. Any such refund will be a debt payable to PTFCF and payment will be enforceable under Philippine law and by-laws of PTFCF.