| Opportunity status: | Open |
| Funders: | CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE PCIEERD WHWise PROGRAM (Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises) (FOR 2024-2025 FUNDING) |
| Funding type: | Grant |
| Funding Agency: | DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, EnergyDOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energyand Emerging Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) |
| Opening date: | June 1, 2024 (8:00 A.M.) |
| Closing date: | June 11, 2024 (5:00 P.M.) |
| Evaluation Period: |
June 13 – July 10, 2024 (19 Working Days) |
| Start of Project/s: |
September 2024 |
| Submit through: | DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS): http://dpmis.dost.gov.ph |
| PDF Copy | Call Guidelines For e-Copy of Priority Areas, please refer to the link below |
OVERVIEW
In 2021, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) launched the Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) Program to support social entrepreneurs and benefit more communities.
The WHWise program consist of two (2) components: (i) customized incubation led by MSU-IIT iDEYA TBI, UP Mindanao UPGRADE TBI, and Miriam College TBI and (ii) support for Women-led Social Enterprises (SE) that require assistance in acquiring technology, research & development, technical assistance, and mentoring. The PCIEERD approved a total of 15 women-led social enterprises for 2021-2022 from eleven (11) different provinces. During the program implementation, there are problems identified by the partner institution such as:
- Most applicants are not fit & prepared to execute projects
- The technology proposed are not aligned with the business model
- Community is not yet ready to use the proposed technology resulting to limited impact
- Equipment proposed are not matched with their actual needs
- Inability to reach more social enterprises
- The evaluation criteria used was unable to screen applicant fit & technology fit for the program
Given the abovementioned situation, the Council adopted the recommendations during the conduct of the program assessment. PCIEERD partnered with DOST Regional Offices for the execution of the Regional Search and launched the WHWise National Innovation Challenger: Search for Innovative Social Enterprises in the Regions.
Forty-five (45) women-led social enterprises showcased their products, services, and its community to the National Innovation Challenge wherein twenty (20) social enterprises received an award and shall be invited to submit proposals for the 2024 call. These enterprises were prepared beforehand to ensure that the DOST assistance and technologies provided are aligned with the need of the community as well as their current business models and goals.
OPPORTUNITY SUMMARY
The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) is announcing the opening of the WHWise Call for Proposals to all qualified applicants and awardees of the WHWise Innovation Challenge: The Search for Innovative Women Entrepreneurs in the Regions.
The Full-Blown Proposal should fall within the following categories to qualify as a research and development project:
• Requires specific technical assistance in refining their product/service - This shall include programs/projects that provides specific technical expertise in redesigning the minimum viable product for the social enterprise. The output of this assistance shall be the improved product or services ready for validation.
• Entails research & development assistance in improving their prototype into a market-ready product - This shall include programs/projects that provide research & development support on developing the minimum viable product for the social enterprises. The output of this assistance shall be marketable and validated products or services. Enterprises with early-stage prototypes that require assistance in product improvement, market testing, data gathering, market validation, business modelling, IP protection and product certification are also welcome to apply.
• In need for a specific technology – This shall include programs/projects that guide, capacitate, and provide support to the social enterprise and its community.
The PCIEERD shall provide support to women-led social enterprises for 12 months up to Php5M funding assistance.
The criteria that shall be used for selecting enterprises are as follows:
- Should be part of the Top 20 Awardees during the WHWise National Innovation Challenge
- Project Leader should be a woman entrepreneur who is a founder, co-founder, or president of a social enterprise
- Legally registered (DTI or SEC registered) for at least 1 year (but not more than 7 years)
- Should be a community-based enterprise (provides clear description of the community)
- The proposed site of project implementation should be accessible by the community 6. An enterprise which is investable but needs technical assistance in improving or utilizing a technology
