April 5, 2022 - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held the official launch of Industry-level Collaborative R&D to Leverage Philippine Economy (I-CRADLE) Program, expanding the role of government in supporting industry-academe collaborations in solving problems of Filipino companies, most specially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
I-CRADLE upgrades the Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program that supports industry-academe innovation activities, from individual firms to specific industry sector with at least 5 collaborating firms, and increasing the maximum amount of the grant from Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) to Twenty Five Million Pesos (P25,000,000.00) per project.
The launch was held during the first CRADLE Conference entitled "The CRADLE Journey: Witnessing innovative breakthroughs through collaborative R&D". The event featured success stories of DOST-CRADLE beneficiaries and highlighted successful projects involving women scientists leading innovation projects.
During the CRADLE Symposium, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said: “DOST’s support to industry-academe partnerships through the CRADLE program has been very evident in our ranking in the annual Global Innovation Index on university-industry research collaboration. In 2014, the Philippines reached the 56th place among 130 countries. Our 2020 rank improved to 27th place, proving that the Philippines, even with the budget of a developing nation, can compete in the innovation race with every country in the world.”
The Global Innovation Index is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for, and success in, innovation. It is published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, in partnership with Cornell University, INSEAD, and other organizations and institutions.
“In just five years, the DOST CRADLE program successfully engaged 76 industry partners with 36 academic institutions in 10 regions in the country,” said DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “There was a clear need for innovation and CRADLE answered the needs of industry through R&D. And this program reached every corner of our archipelago to support the growth and competitiveness of Filipino companies. It is high time that government support should also change and evolve to the growing needs of industry.”
Under the I-CRADLE program, industry-wide needs and problems shall be identified and the partner university shall undertake R&D. This program will also target each level of the technology transfer process – from the pursuit of industry-driven basic research, academe-industry joint research, and product development stage to technology promotion/transfer and adoption.
Both I-CRADLE and CRADLE programs fall under the DOST-Science for Change Program (S4CP), created to accelerate STI in the country in order to keep up with the developments in our time wherein technology and innovation are game changers. Other sub-programs of S4CP include the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) program where qualified Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the regions are provided with grants so they can undertake quality research directed at promoting regional development with their existing capabilities and resources. Another capacity-building program is the RDLead Program which aims to help develop and strengthen further the research capabilities of the academe, RDIs, and other government line agencies nationwide. RDLeaders who are local S&T experts with strong leadership and innovative policy proficiencies are engaged to train, and direct and support the R&D goals of their host institute. The Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program aims to provide financial assistance to Filipino private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies so that they can undertake R&D. The financial assistance, which may only be used to purchase R&D equipment or to secure technology licensing and/or patent rights, will be refunded to DOST at zero percent interest.
For companies who wish to avail of the I-CRADLE program, you may contact the DOST-Science for Change Project Management Office at 2/F ADMATEL Bldg., DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, with telephone numbers (02) 8837-2943/ 8837-2930. You may also send an email to s4c.ousecrd@dost.gov.ph.
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