GOVPH

The Program shall provide priority funding to pre-commercialization activities of projects aligned to national S&T priorities and project proposal’s strategic relevance to national development, based on the priority areas of the DOST’s Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) for 2022-2028. Some of these areas are the following:

1. Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources
   1. 1. Crops
      2. Livestock
      3. Aquatic
      4. Forestry
      5. Natural resources and environment
      6. Climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction 
2. Health*
   1. 1. Drug discovery and development
      2. Functional Food
      3. Re-emerging and Emerging Diseases
      4. Diagnostics
      5. Omic technologies for health (platform technology across research priorities)
      6. Biomedical devices engineering for health
      7. Digital and frontier health technologies
      8. Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in health
      9. Mental health

*NOTE: To be qualified under the Program and to ensure safety and effectiveness, for pharmaceuticals the technology must be at TRL 7 (completed at least Phase II trials). For medical devices, the technology must be at TRL 6.

3. Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology
   1. 1. Additive manufacturing
      2. Advance materials
      3. Materials for energy
      4. Nanotechnology
      5. Optics and photonics
      6. Electronics industry
      7. ICT innovations
      8. Industry 4.0
      9. Quantum technology
      10. Smart cities
      11. Artificial intelligence
      12. Creative industries
      13. Space technology applications
      14. Transportation
      15. Energy
      16. Utilities
      17. Disaster risk reduction-climate change adaptation
      18. Unmanned vehicle systems
      19. Food
      20. Metals and engineering
      21. Environment
      22. Process
      23. Mining and minerals

Eligible proponents for this Program are the following:

1. 1. Research and Development Institutes (RDIs)
   2. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
   3. Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
   4. Startup companies/firms

For RDIs, SUCs, and HEIs, please take note of the following important eligibility requirements:

1. 1. The previous R&D must be funded by any of the following:
      1. 1. The proponent institute itself
         2. DOST Regional Offices (ROs)
         3. DOST Research and Development Institutes (RDIs)
         4. DOST Service Institutes
         5. DOST Collegial Bodies
         6. Non-DOST organizations (e.g., NGOs, other government agencies, etc.)

2. 2. The previous R&D must not be funded, managed, or monitored by any of the DOST Sectoral Councils

For startup companies/firms, please take note of the following important eligibility requirements:

1. 1. Must be in operation for at least one (1) year and less than seven (7) years
   2. Only startups registered as Corporations are eligible

Proponents with previous DOST-TAPI funding must fully liquidate their previous DOST-TAPI funding to be eligible for the Program. 

COVERAGE
The Program provides grants for projects involving substantial technology refinement activities. The covered pre-commercialization activities include but are not limited to:

1. 1. Commercial prototyping
   2. Pilot-scale or scaled-up testing
   3. Technology validation
   4. Market research
   5. Field or market testing
   6. Business model validations
   7. Pre-investment and other analogous activities

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT STAGE
The technology must be at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4–basic technological components are integrated and tested in a laboratory to establish that they will work together. At least a “low fidelity” or crude prototype is available and an application of the technology is identified.

TECHNOLOGY ELIGIBILITY

The following are important pointers for technologies to be funded:

1. The proponent must own the subject matter technology being proposed.
2. Proponents that have not funded the R&D of the technology must provide documentary proof stating any one of the following:
   1. The proponent has ownership of the technology
   2. An agreement allowing the proponent to further develop the existing technology, and keep ownership of any and all technologies developed through project implementation. This is only applicable to spinoff companies*

Examples of documentary proof of ownership or license to use for further R&D include licensing agreement, funding agreement, IP filing, etc.

NOTE: Ownership of the technology will be based on the funding provided during its R&D phase. The following provide illustrations for clarity:

1. Undergraduate or capstone research conducted by the students that have not received direct funding from the SUC or HEI is not owned by the university
2. Spinoff companies must secure a licensing agreement from the SUC/HEI/RDI to be eligible. 
3. Startup companies must own their technology or must be assigned ownership of the technology. Otherwise, the startup is ineligible. 

EXCLUSIONS
The Program does not cover the following activities:

1. 1. Food formulation unless a functional food product designed for a specific health-related problem or industry solution
   2. Purely establishment of facilities
   3. Discovery, development of new products, the establishment of proof of concept, and basic research
   4. Technologies for extension purposes and not commercialization (e.g., farming/breeding techniques, management protocols, etc.)
   5. Technologies without previously conducted and documented R&D output 
   6. Technologies ready for commercialization/market entry (request is geared for commercial production/manufacturing and expansion)

NOTE: To be qualified under the Program and to ensure safety and effectiveness, for pharmaceuticals the technology must be at TRL 7 (completed at least Phase II trials). For medical devices, the technology must be at TRL 6.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance covers direct and indirect costs including personnel services (PS), maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and equipment outlay (EO). Budget details must be reflected in the Line-Item Budget (LIB), pursuant to the DOST-GIA guidelines.

A counterpart fund, in kind and/or in cash, of at least 15% shall be required as one of the application requirements. It is preferable that outside/other funding support to complement the TECHNiCOM funds is also obtained.

* Spinoff companies are legal entities that emerge as a result of commercializing a technology that is originally developed within an existing SUC/ HEI/ RDI. The technology generator must still be actively involved in the operations of the spinoff company. 

The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a tool to assess the technology development stage for a particular application. A particular level is achieved if the prescribed activities for that level are accomplished. The movement of technology through the scale tracks the technology development stage (whether it’s an idea, proof of concept, component, system, etc.) and the environment where it is tested (laboratory, a simulated operational environment, actual environment, etc.).

TRL 1 | Basic Principles
Qualifying questions:

1. Is the research basic and experimental without a specific application?
2. Is the research purpose to validate a fundamental theory or scientific principle?

Indicators:

1. Basic research
2. Ideation
3. Describe the need for technology
4. Paper studies

TRL 2 | Technology Formulation

Qualifying questions:

1. Was a technology created, a technique established, or a formulation developed?
2. Was the concept proven through the research?
3. Were laboratory tests done to confirm that the technology works?

Indicators:

1. Concept development
2. Invention
3. Analytical studies

 TRL 3 | Proof of Concept

Qualifying questions:

1. Was there a specific application of the technology established?
2. Was the technology tested for that specific application in a laboratory environment?

Indicators:

1. Initial lab testing
2. Critical function demo
3. More parameters
4. Separate elements
5. Application identified

TRL 4 | Rough Prototype

Qualifying questions:

1. Was there a prototype built?
2. Are there products developed?

Indicators:

1. Bench-scale testing
2. Component integration
3. “ad hoc” hardware/combination
4. Low-fi prototype

TRL 5 | Improved Prototype

Qualifying questions:

1. Was the prototype improved from its earlier design?
2. Was the prototype used by intended users or field-tested for the purpose of improving its features/usability?
3. Was the prototype tested and redesigned to fit the needs of intended users?

Indicators:

1. Relevant environment testing
   
2. Rigorous lab testing
   
3. Integration of realistic elements
   
4. High-fi prototype 

TRL 6 | Open Water

Qualifying questions:

1. Was the prototype manufactured close to the actual intended environment?
2. Was the technology operating in an environment at a pre-commercial scale?

Indicators:

1. Design freeze
2. Fully-functional prototype
3. Testing in a high-fi setting

TRL 7 | Operational Demonstration

Qualifying questions:

1. Was the technology manufactured at close to commercial scale?
2. Can the technology be used, replicated, and demonstrated, meeting consistently quality or performance standards?

Indicators:

1. Prototype near / at final form
2. Field testing
3. Demonstration at pre-comm scale

TRL 8 | Actual Technology Demonstration

Qualifying questions:

1. Are all the manufacturing issues resolved at a pre-commercial or commercial scale?
2. Does the technology meet quality and performance standards?

Indicators:

1. Demonstration of the final form
2. Technology validation to meet rqts
3. Manufacturing issues solved

TRL 9 | Actual Technology Deployment

 Qualifying questions:

1. Is the technology replicable at consistent quality and at a commercial scale?
2. Is the technology acceptable to customers?
3. Are customers already paying for the technology/product?

Indicators:

1. Fully commercial
2. Production fully operational
3. Full-scale deployment
4. Available to costumers

The Investment Readiness Level (IRL) is a tool to measure the progress on the state of things as far as developing a business from technology.

IRL 1 | First Pass Business Model

IRL 2 | Market Size/Competitive Analysis

IRL 3 | Problem-Solution fit

IRL 4 | Low Fidelity Prototype

IRL 5 | Validate Product-Market Fit

IRL 6 | Validated Revenue Model

IRL 7 | High Fidelity Prototype

IRL 8 | Validate Value Delivery

IRL 9 | Validate Metrics that Matter

APPLICATION STEPS

1. The project proponent prepares a full-blown proposal along with the complete requirements.
   1. 1. The project proponent may attend any of the scheduled TechnoBYAHE sessions, which are announced on DOST-TAPI's Facebook Page. A TechnoBYAHE session is DOST-TAPI's event to orient on its Technopreneurship Programs, including the TECHNiCOM Program.
2. The project proponent may send a copy of the full-blown project proposal and the complete requirements via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive feedback. The Applied Communications Unit for Non-inventors (ACU-n) shall provide feedback regarding the proposal's and requirements' completeness.
   1. 1. The project proponent may also send a draft proposal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a one-on-one consultation or writeshop session.
3. The project proponent shall simultaneously send a request to the DOST Regional Office* for a positive endorsement based on the initial evaluation of the project TRL.
   1. 1. Please allow the DOST Regional Office two (2) weeks to issue an endorsement. The proponent should ideally request the endorsement well ahead of the Call for Proposals deadline to ensure a complete set of requirements.
4. Once the proponent revises the proposal based on the ACU-n's feedback and completes the requirements, including the DOST Regional Office endorsement, the proponent submits these via the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS) through this link: http://dpmis.dost.gov.ph. The project proponent may directly submit to the DPMIS without seeking ACU-n's feedback.
   1. 1. The DPMIS shall close after the indicated Call for Proposals deadline. The evaluation period shall begin after the Call for Proposals deadline. Only proposals submitted successfully via the DPMIS will undergo official evaluation.
5. During the evaluation period, the DPMIS shall forward the submitted proposals to DOST-TAPI's Records Section at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
   1. 1. The application processing officially begins once the proposal submission is forwarded to or received by DOST-TAPI's Records Section. 
6. The DOST-TAPI shall inform the project proponent, through the contact information provided, regarding the status of his/her proposal. During the evaluation period, the project proposal will undergo further revisions. The proponent is expected to closely coordinate with the TECHNiCOM Program Unit for further revisions and the next evaluation steps.

INELIGIBLE PROPOSALS
The following will automatically be disapproved:

1. 1. Proposals with TRL 1-3 and 8-9
   2. Proposals with incomplete requirements 
   3. Proposals from ineligible proponents
   4. Proposals outside the priority areas of the Program
   5. Proposals submitted to any other call route or Council/s
   6. Proposals not submitted through the DPMIS
   7. Proposals from startups that are not yet SEC-registered or startups existing for more than 7 years
   8. Proposals in the proof of concept or idea stage
   9. Proposals whose activities are not covered by the Program
   10. Capsule proposals
   11. Proposals in the commercialization stage
   12. Startups that are operating less than one (1) year

PROJECT PROPOSAL FORMS
The project proposal forms and other relevant documents are accessible at this link.

NOTE: the full-blown proposal and the line-item budget to be submitted via DPMIS will need to be filled out manually on the platform. Accomplished Word document for the full-blown proposal and Excel document for the line-item budget may be uploaded as attachments on the DPMIS.

*The appropriate DOST Regional Office covers the proponent's area (e.g., if the proponent is located in Metro Manila the DOST-NCR is the appropriate DOST Regional Office). 

Submission of full-blown proposals shall be done via the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS): http://dpmis.dost.gov.ph.

When submitting your application via DPMIS, please follow these steps:

1. 1. Register and create an account in the DPMIS
   2. Log in to your DPMIS account
   3. Select Call for Proposal: TECHNiCOM (2023 Funding)
   4. Select Type of Proposal: TECHNiCOM R&D Project
   5. Select Classification: New Proposal

 To learn more, read the detailed guide here or watch the video below.

For all eligible proponents, the following requirements must be submitted via http://dpmis.dost.gov.ph before the Call for Proposals deadline:

1. 1. General Documentary Requirements
      1. 1. Project Leader's Letter of Interest to avail financial assistance addressed to the Program Director. Use this template
         2. Endorsement letter from the appropriate DOST Agency. The endorsement includes an initial TRL assessment. Use this template (to be filled out by the DOST Agency). The appropriate DOST Agency can either be:
            1. DOST Regional Office* - for SUCs, HEIs, & RDIs; Startups without previous DOST Sectoral Council funding
            2. DOST Sectoral Council - for Startups with previous DOST Sectoral Council funding
         3. Full-blown project proposal (following the TECHNICOM format) with a Gender and Development (GAD) Score. The Project Proposal Form is found at this link, and the GAD scoresheet at this link. For reference, you may check out this -SAMPLE PROPOSAL-
         4. Endorsement letter from the proponent’s agency head (can be omitted if redundant with Letter from Project Leader). Use this template
         5. Work plan of the project/Gantt chart. Use this template
         6. Detailed Line-Item Budget. Use this template
         7. Letter of Interest from the Private Sector / Other Cooperating Agencies, if applicable (this should coincide with the organizations that will participate in the project implementation or technology/product adoption as identified in the project proposal). Use this template
         8. Cash Program (should reflect Total Project Budget). Use this template
         9. Curriculum Vitae of the Project Leader and Members (should reflect at least one technical expert in the project team aligned with the subject technology)
2.  
   2. Additional Requirements for Startups:
      1. 1. Authenticated copies of SEC-registered Articles of Incorporation
         2. Mayor's permit reflecting where the business is located
         3. Latest original/scanned copies of Income Tax Returns
         4. Latest Audited Financial Statements
            1. 3 years preceding the date of project implementation
            2. in case of those with operation of less than 3 years, for the years in operation and proof of previous implementation of similar projects
            3. in the case of startups, at least for 1 year
         5. Document showing that startup has equity to 20 percent of the total project cost, which shall be in the form of labor, land for the project site, facilities, equipment, and the like, to be used in the project
         6. Disclosure of other related businesses, when applicable (any and all businesses related to the field or industry)
         7. Board Resolution authorizing the Project Leader to apply for the grant on behalf of the company and authorizing the signatory/ies for agreement documents, e.g., MOA, amendment to MOA, etc. Use this template 
         8. Sworn Affidavits from all of the startup owners/ incorporators/ stockholders/ organizers/ partners, directors, and/or officers that they are not agents of or related by consanguinity or affinity up to the fourth civil degree to any DOST officer authorized to process and/or approve the grant and release of funds. Use this template
         9. Endorsement Letter from either:
            1. The business incubation facility where the startup is located
            2. Other endorsements on proof of capability and track record in conducting R&D

Forms and requirements can be found at this link.

NOTE: the full-blown proposal and the line-item budget to be submitted via DPMIS will need to be filled out manually on the platform. Accomplished Word document for the full-blown proposal and Excel document for the line-item budget may be uploaded as attachments on the DPMIS.

*The appropriate DOST Regional Office covers the proponent's area (e.g., if the proponent is located in Metro Manila the DOST-NCR is the appropriate DOST Regional Office). 

The project proposal shall be evaluated based on the Program’s project proposal review mechanism, specific review criteria, or based on the following:

Workability/ Technical Viability

• • Technical soundness of the technology based on existing scientific and technological principles
  • Maturity of the technology
  • Advanced features of the technology over existing product or process with the same functions and/or contribution to the advancement of S&T

Social and Environmental Impacts

• • Employment generation from the technology
  • No potentially irreversible immediate and long-term hazards/ consequences on the environment as well as in health and safety

Commercial Viability

• • Competitiveness of the technology over existing product or process in the market
  • Market potential of the technology

Management Capability

• • Technical and managerial capacity of the proponent demonstrates a competent and experienced leadership
  • Availability of competent and reliable workforce and facilities
  • Manageable timeframe

There is no funding cap on proposals.

For proposals with a total project cost < ₱3 million, the DOST-TAPI Executive Committee (EXECOM) shall deliberate and approve.

For proposals with a total project cost ≥ ₱3 million, the TECHNiCOM Program Advisory Committee (PAC) shall deliberate and approve.

Projects will have a duration of one (1) year. 

Do you have a TECHNiCOM project idea but need help preparing a proposal or completing the requirements? Schedule a TechnoBYAHE Consultation or Writeshop! 

Just follow these steps:

1. 1. 1. Prepare a draft proposal. Download the proposal form at this link.
      2. Register and schedule a date and time: 

REGISTER TechnoBYAHE Consultation or Writeshop 

You will need to upload your draft proposal in the registration form.

1. 1. 3. Wait for an associate to contact you to confirm your schedule and provide the meeting details.

To schedule a TechnoBYAHE Consultation or Writeshop session for a group, please send a request letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The request letter should include the following details:

1. 1. 1. Number of participants 
      2. Name and affiliation of the participants
      3. Technopreneurship Program being availed
      4. Draft proposals (as attachment)

For general inquiries about TECHNiCOM, please contact:

DOST-TAPI Public Assistance Office
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel. No.: 8837-2071 local 2153

For technical consultations that would require preparing a draft proposal first (see How to Apply), you may contact the following:

Applied Communications Unit for Non-inventors (ACU-n)
                                                                                                                                                                      Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                                                                                                                                                                      Tel. No.: 8837-2071 local 2157 / 2167