The Quezon City Government has officially opened applications for the first batch of fellows under the Betty Go-Belmonte Research Grants Program, which supports work that can contribute to the city’s holistic and sustainable development.
Named in honor of the late journalist and newspaper publisher Billie Mary “Betty” Go-Belmonte, the program seeks to empower students, scholars, and academic professionals to produce evidence-based studies, practical recommendations, and research outputs that can help address community needs and guide public policy.
The program is open to Filipino undergraduate and postgraduate students who are residents of Quezon City and/or enrolled in a higher education institution in the city.
Filipino academic professionals who are teaching or serving as faculty members of a Quezon City-based higher education institution may also apply, regardless of their place of residence.
Applications may be submitted individually or as a team, provided that the principal proponent or designated project leader meets the eligibility requirements.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte emphasized the importance of research in developing responsive and evidence-informed solutions to the challenges faced by communities.
“Through the Betty Go-Belmonte Research Grants Program, we hope to encourage more students, scholars, and academic professionals to undertake meaningful research that can inform policies, improve public services, and contribute to a better quality of life for our citizens.”
“In Quezon City, we value research because it helps us better understand the challenges confronting our communities and identify solutions that are grounded in evidence. Through the Betty Go-Belmonte Research Grants Program, we hope to encourage more students, scholars, and academic professionals to undertake meaningful research that can inform policies, improve public services, and contribute to a better quality of life for our citizens,” Belmonte said.
Research proposals must directly and clearly contribute to Quezon City’s development or align with the City Government’s 14-point agenda. Proposals should also produce actionable insights, recommendations, or research outputs that may be applied in Quezon City.
Priority will be given to studies that examine underlying conditions and root causes or support the implementation and improvement of key city initiatives in the areas of human and social services, economic development, environment and climate change, infrastructure, and institutional development.
Selected fellows may receive a research grant of up to ₱100,000. They may also qualify for additional assistance of up to ₱20,000 for each eligible support category, covering books and research materials, transportation expenses, and the printing and reproduction of research papers, subject to program guidelines.
With prior authorization, fellows may also be given access to relevant City Government offices, officials, personnel, and barangays for research purposes. The City Government may likewise assist in arranging opportunities for fellows to present their completed studies in public forums.
“Your research can help us understand our city more deeply, strengthen the programs we deliver, and develop solutions that may benefit not only Quezon City but communities throughout the country.”
“We invite QCitizens and members of our academic community to take part in this opportunity. Your research can help us understand our city more deeply, strengthen the programs we deliver, and develop solutions that may benefit not only Quezon City but communities throughout the country,” Belmonte added.
Interested applicants may submit their requirements through the Betty Go-Belmonte Research Grants module on the QC e-Services Portal at https://qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph
The deadline for the submission of applications is August 31, 2026, while the evaluation of proposals will begin on September 1, 2026.
The Betty Go-Belmonte Research Grants Program was established through City Ordinance No. SP-3174, Series of 2023, principally authored by Majority Floor Leader Councilor Aly Medalla.
The opening of its first call for applications also marks the 40th anniversary of The Philippine Star, the national broadsheet co-founded by Betty Go-Belmonte, Max Soliven, and Art Borjal.
