Proposed Amendments to the VSU Publication/Policy/Patent Assistance and Collaboration for Emerging Researchers (PACER) Grant
(BOR Resolution No. 147, s. 2025)

Introduction

Following the approval of the VSU PACER Grant (BOR Referendum No. 22, s. 2025) and the constitution of the PACER Grant TWG (OP Memorandum # 1111, series of 2025), the OVPREI through the Scientific Publication section has formally announced a call for applications for the VSU PACER Grant CY 2025. Applications may be submitted online via https://ovprei.vsu.edu.ph/pacer-grant, with the deadline set for September 11, 2025. The PACER Grant aims to pair a complementary ally to collaborate with an emerging researcher through a buddy system where a young/early career researcher (‘ECR’) collaborates one-on-one with a senior/experienced researcher (‘PACER’) until completion of the required outputs.

Upon further review by the PACER Grant TWG, however, it has become evident that some specific portions of the guidelines require amendments to 1) make the grant more competitive as with other similar grants, 2) improve the application rate, 3) simplify the approval process, and 4) increase the budget utilization rate.

Proposed Amendments

APPROVED PROVISIONS PER BOR REFERENDUM NO. 22 S. 2025

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND JUSTIFICATION

Upon approval, the ECR works one-on-one with the PACER until approval/publication (for manuscripts/UMs/IDs), issuance of eCertificate of Copyright (for copyright), or Certificate of Registration (for patents).

Upon approval, the ECR works closely with the PACER until the manuscript is submitted to a Scopus-indexed journal/publisher or other outputs (UMs/IDs/copyright/patents/ other IPs) via IPOPHIL1. A list of Scopus documents eligible for the PACER Grant can be found using the Scopus Content Coverage Guide2


The ECR must include the VSU PACER Grant in the acknowledgment section of the submitted manuscript or other outputs as relevant.

  • The final publication of the manuscript or registration of other IPs is beyond the control of the ECR/PACER nor the PACER Grant itself.
  • The allocated remuneration is not sufficient to cover the amount of time and mentoring committed by the PACER when compared to other similar grants.
  • We need to ensure the timely obligation of our budget.

The PACER-ECR is given a maximum of six months from the time of approval to submission to a Scopusindexed journal or other appropriate bodies for other outputs. Failure to meet the six-month submission time will result in the disqualification of the grant.

The PACER-ECR is given a maximum of three months from the time of approval to submission to a Scopus-indexed journal or other appropriate bodies for other outputs. Failure to meet the three-month submission time will result in the disqualification of the grant.

  • This amendment will help us achieve the 2025 submission targets and ensure the allocated budget is obligated on time.
  • Shortening the time is aligned with the previously proposed deliverable i.e., submission instead of publication/registration

PACERs with approved grant shall be entitled to ₱15,000.00/output with a maximum of two grants/engagements at a time.

PACERs with approved grant shall be entitled to ₱10,000.00/output with a maximum of two grants/engagements at a time. The ECR shall submit a copy of the manuscript and relevant documents as proof of the required output, while the PACER shall provide a one-page summary of mentoring activities and support rendered.

  • Reducing the amount to ₱10,000.00 will allow up to 50 outputs expected to be delivered in this Grant for CY 2025.
  • Reducing the amount is aligned with the proposed deliverable indicated above.