THE US AGENCY for International Development (USAID), has pledged P250 million for the three-year extension of a program meant to boost the Philippines’ capacity for innovation-led inclusive economic development.
According to the US Embassy, USAID Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II announced the extension of the Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) project at the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Inclusive Innovation Conference in Pasay City.
“USAID is a close partner of the Philippine government in investing in human capital development and employing science, technology, and innovation to bolster growth,” said Mr. Hardy in a statement.
The STRIDE project was launched in 2013 in partnership with RTI International to provide research and technology transfer between industries and universities. It also provides grants for collaborative industry-university research projects and scholarships in American universities.
The US Embassy said that the three-year extension will facilitate more collaboration with key government agencies and will help partner universities share their knowledge and best practices with other Philippine universities.
The Embassy added that the additional assistance brings in the total USAID investment to the Philippines in the innovation sector to nearly P2 billion since 2013.
The program has forged partnerships with over 380 industry partners, 110 Philippine academic institutions, and 25 US universities. It has given scholarships to 57 Filipinos and 68 grants worth P270 million to Filipino scientists and researchers. — Camille A. Aguinaldo
