How the DOST Scholarship draws top students—and helps close the STEM talent gap
The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) undergraduate scholarship program has once again proven its pull among high-performing senior high school (SHS) students, drawing a record 10,907 qualifiers for academic year 2025–2026—its highest tally yet.
These incoming college freshmen are set to receive full support for their science and technology studies after qualifying for the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI) 2025 undergraduate scholarship program.
Of the 95,654 eligible applicants, 84,518 senior high school students sat for the exam held on April 5 and 6 in 215 testing centers nationwide.
This year, 6,321 qualified under the Republic Act 7687 Scholarship Program, which is designed for academically gifted students from economically disadvantaged families.
Meanwhile, 4,586 students earned slots through the Merit Scholarship Program under under Republic Act 2067, which honors exceptional ability in science and mathematics regardless of financial status.
In total, only 11.5% of those who sat for the exam made the cut, making it one of the most selective scholarship programs in the country.
Benefits
Now with a record-breaking volume of qualifiers, the government’s flagship S&T scholarship continues to draw top students nationwide — and for good reason.
Successful scholars will begin receiving benefits in the first semester of AY 2025–2026, including:
- A monthly living allowance of P8,000
- Up to P40,000/year for tuition and school fees (for private institutions)
- P10,000 annual allowance for learning materials or connectivity
- P10,000 for thesis support
- Group health and accident insurance
- One economy class round-trip fare per academic year for scholars studying outside their home province.
The scholarship covers the full duration of a DOST-recognized S&T degree program, provided the scholar maintains good academic standing and complies with the program’s terms.
To avail, qualifiers must enroll in any priority Bachelor of Science program listed by DOST-SEI, offered at a state university or college, or a CHED-recognized Center of Excellence/Development, or an institution with Level III accreditation from the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines.
Eligible programs are listed in the DOST-SEI’s scholarship information page. Some of the newest additions include BS Data Science, BS Sports Science, BS Agribusiness Economics and BS Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Following the release of the results, notices of award and orientation schedules will be issued through DOST-SEI and its regional offices. Some qualifiers may be required to submit additional documents for revalidation.
Indicator for STEM interest
The number of qualifiers has remained steady in recent years, showing continued interest for STEM programs:
- 2024-2025: 10,756 qualifiers from 89,510 examinees
- 2023-2024: 9,776 qualifiers from 79,585 examinees
- 2022-2023: 10,487 qualifiers
- 2021-2022: 8,067 qualifiers
This consistent turnout, alongside a growing number of applicants, suggests a rising level of interest among Filipino youth in pursuing science and technology fields, an encouraging trend amid the country’s push for innovation-driven growth.
Still, increasing interest may not be enough to close the looming workforce gaps. A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) estimates that by 2025, the country will face significant shortages in key STEM fields: 13,964 workers in the life sciences, 569,903 in engineering, 9,689 in the physical sciences, and 13,285 in mathematics and statistics.
By channeling top-performing youth into these critical industries, the DOST scholarship could serve as both a social equalizer and an innovation driver.
