By Jeremy Norine Unson
How can proponents increase their chances of approval for the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) funding programs? Let's face it: Securing funding isn't easy. A brilliant idea isn't always enough; evaluators look for a well-crafted proposal. At DOST-TAPI, that process often begins with a writeshop.
GALING Program explained
One of the featured programs this CY 2025 Call for Proposals is the Grants and Assistance to Leverage Innovations for National Growth (GALING) Program for individual Filipino inventors with at least an active filed Intellectual Property (IP) protection under their name, complemented by a working rough prototype. GALING Program aims to improve the technology prototype through two phases: (1) Technology Validation or Product Development and (2) Market Validation or Pilot Testing.
READ: GALING Program FAQs
The GALING Program has been reintroduced by the agency. It streamlines previous pre-commercialization programs, such as the Testing and Analyses Program, Industry-Based Invention Development (IBID) Program, and Invention-Based Enterprise Development (IBED) Program, and provides potential beneficiaries with an integrated solution to turn crude prototypes into market-ready products.
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Writeshops as a Prerequisite
Now, to apply for any of the funding programs, you must undergo a write shop. Why is it necessary? Well, most innovators are tech experts—engineers and researchers with brilliant ideas and solution-based project proposals. However, their initial drafts often fail to showcase the true potential of their technology. That's where writeshops prove invaluable.
These writeshops help innovators refine and craft compelling proposals that are more likely to secure grant funding. In this case, the GALING Program unit from the Invention Development Division (IDD) guides participants in articulating the technology, budget, and project timeline. Essentially, writeshops empower these bright minds to become effective communicators, increasing the chances of their projects receiving the grant and reaching their target market shortly.
KNowmad: Mobile Innovation Learning Lab in Baguio and Pampanga
Interested applicants submitted their draft proposals and were able to secure their slots in either virtual or physical writeshops. You read that right! This CY 2025, the Innovations Marketing, Promotion, And Knowledge Transfer (IMPAKT) Unit of the Technology Information and Promotion Division (TIPD) designed the writeshops to be a one-on-one consultation with the program managers, allowing each proponent an avenue to explain their technologies to the GALING Program unit fully, and soliciting the most essential and appropriate comments to improve their project proposals.
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Uniquely productive Proposal Writeshop
DOST-TAPI reminded interested applicants that they must have at least an active FILED IP to apply for GALING. For those determined to avail themselves of the assistance from DOST-TAPI but lacking IP filing, the IMPAKT Unit organized physical write shops accompanied by an IP Audit performed by in-house patent agents involved in the agency's Intellectual Property Rights Assistance Program (IPRAP). The agency sees it fit to continue doing this in the future.
What is an IP Audit? It is an on-the-spot assessment of innovations for IP Protection. Our in-house patent agents from IDD welcome technology generators to a safe and confidential space where they can freely disclose their technology for evaluation. Inventors gain essential knowledge of their technology's potential, boosting their morale and once again igniting their passion for designing and generating solutions to real-life problems.
DOST-TAPI’s In-house patent agents conduct on-the-spot IP Audit for interested applicants of the GALING Program
For the CY 2025 Call for Proposals, the IMPAKT Unit brought the proposal writeshop and IP Audit Team to Benguet and Pampanga, which signified their interest and enthusiasm in applying for the GALING Program.
On the next call, why not take the Team to other regions? Perhaps the Visayas Region? We are still looking for other unexplored regions where we can bring the agency’s programs closer to the communities.
Now, what happens after?
Applying for IP Protection through DOST-TAPI’s IPRAP and submitting an improved project proposal is just the beginning. Once the GALING Program Unit supports you to proceed in submitting the project proposal officially, be ready for an eventful series of months.
Are you interested in learning more about the GALING Program and applying for funding programs? Follow us on our social media accounts to stay updated for the next Call for Proposals for Funding.
Contact us at:
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Telephone: (02) 8582 - 1450 loc. 2167
** This article is part of the "Together, to get there, with DOST-TAPI" campaign for the DOST-TAPI’s 2025 Call for Proposals. For more information and event updates, please visit the DOST-TAPI website at www.tapi.dost.gov.ph. For media inquiries, please get in touch with Ms. Mirielle Vacal at +639567113145 or Mr. Heherson Valdez at +639064477735, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. **
