📋 Tender Overview
DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) -- For Grace, a solo parent from Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, earning a scholarship would be a big step toward helping her son achieve his dream of becoming an engineer. Her son, a Grade 6 pupil with a passion for building and designing, hopes to enter the Special Science Class (SSC) program and later pursue the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand in high school. He always talks about becoming a civil engineer like his late father. I want to support his dream in every way I can, Grace shared. To support students like Graces son, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continues to encourage incoming Grade 7 students to apply for the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System National Competitive Examination (NCE), which accepts applications until November 7, 2025. Through the NCE, DOST aims to discover and nurture young Filipinos with exceptional talent in STEM, offering them access to quality education and opportunities to become future leaders in science and innovation. We encourage our youth to pursue the STEM strand and be part of a generation that will strengthen the nations science and innovation, DOST Pangasinan Science Research Specialist Bernalyn Martinez said. Program privileges, qualifications The PSHS offers full scholarships to qualified students, which include free tuition, textbook loan, a P500 monthly stipend, uniforms, and transportation and living allowances for low-income families. Dormitory accommodation is also provided when applicable. Martinez said applicants must be Grade 6 pupils from Department of Education (DepEd)-recognized schools who belong to the upper 10 percent of their class or have at least 85 percent in science and mathematics. Applicants must also be Filipino citizens, in good health, have no pending or approved immigrant application, and must have a satisfactory character rating for S.Y. 2024-2025. They should be no older than 15 years old by June 30, 2026, and must not have previously applied for PSHS admission. A total of 1,726 students passed the NCE nationwide for S.Y. 2025-2026, showing PSHSs ongoing effort to discover and train young Filipinos with strong skills in science and mathematics. Application process Applications may be filed online or through the nearest DOST regional or provincial office. For online applicants, create an account at , fill out the form, and upload the following: A recent 1x1 picture; Certified true copy of the report card (S.Y. 2024-2025) signed by the class adviser or principal; Certification proving that the applicant belongs to the upper 10 percent of the batch (if grades in science or mathematics are below 85 percent); Certification from the private school if the applicant is on a full scholarship; and Non-refundable processing fee of P300 for private school students (free for public school students and private school scholars). For walk-in applicants, the same documents may be submitted to DOST regional or provincial offices or any PSHS campus. In Pangasinan, we have offices on Alvear Street, Lingayen, and another at our field office inside Pangasinan State University (PSU)-Urdaneta campus, Martinez said. Selection and results The PSHS NCE is scheduled for January 31, 2026, with results to be announced on a later date. There are 16 PSHS campuses nationwide, and applicants must indicate their preferred campus on the form. For the full list, visit . The top 240 qualifiers will be invited to enroll at the PSHS main campus in Quezon City, while others will be ranked regionally based on their chosen campus. However, applicants selecting a regional campus will not be considered as alternates for the main campus. Results will be posted on the PSHS website, and qualified students will also be notified by their respective campus registrars. About the school The PSHS System provides an integrated secondary education program that prepares students for careers in science and technology. Successful examinees enter as Grade 7 students and continue until Grade 12, receiving specialized training in science, math, and research. Through this early screening, PSHS identifies students with strong aptitude in STEM and cultivates their potential through a rigorous and research-oriented curriculum. Shaping the future through science For Grace, the scholarship gives her hope that her son can pursue his late fathers dream and build a better future through education. She believes that programs like the DOST scholarship allow children from ordinary families to turn aspirations into reality. Likewise, the DOST continues to call on local government units, schools, and communities to promote the scholarship and encourage more students to explore STEM fields, emphasizing that investing in science and education is key to national growth and innovation. (CCMT/JCDR, PIA Pangasinan)
