Dr. John B. Casterline, distinguished demographer and Robert T. Lazarus Professor in Population Studies at the Ohio State University (OSU) has collaborated with Philippine demographers since the late 1970s. He has collaborated with the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and the Demographic Research and Development Foundation (DRDF) and has conducted various research and academic activities.

In 2023, Dr. Casterline made a cash donation to DRDF, Inc. to promote the study of demography and population studies in the Philippines at the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI). Thus, DRDF established the John B. Casterline (JBC) Fellowship in Demography and Population Studies Program to support scholars pursuing a graduate degree in Demography or Population Studies.

ELIGIBILITY

An applicant who wishes to apply for a JBC fellowship must:

• be accepted to any of UP Population Institute’s graduate programs;
• not a recipient of other scholarship/fellowship grants;
• be willing to study full-time for two years;
• have a good moral character, and
• display a high level of interest and intention to work as a demographer, whether as a researcher, teacher, or planner/implementer of population-related programs/ activities, upon completion of the degree.

BENEFITS

A JBC fellow enjoys the following benefits for two academic years:

• free matriculation fees;
• a monthly stipend of PhP18,000;
• an internet allowance of PhP1,500 per semester;
• an allowance of PhP2, 500 for thesis or preprint paper reproduction, and
• a one-time modest transportation fee/fare to Metro Manila (if residing outside NCR before the start of the fellowship).

SELECTION

1. An interested scholar must send a letter of application to the Demographic Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (DRDF) during the enrolment period of the first semester of every academic year.

2. Along with the letter of application, the applicant must submit the following credentials for review:

• Transcript of Records/Diploma
• Two recommendation letters from former employers or teachers
• Latest curriculum vitae

3. The UPPI faculty (or Fellowship Committee) will review the applications and select one or two fellows per academic year.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Pre-academic

1. The Fellow must not be a recipient of other scholarship/fellowship grants by the time the JBC Fellowship is awarded.

2. The Fellow must not be employed or engaged in any salary-receiving jobs upon accepting the fellowship. But if employed and have not resigned, he/she must apply for an official leave of absence (study leave) from their organization/institution.

3. The Fellow must execute a fellowship contract.

• Academic

4. The Fellow will take subjects of study leading to the degree of M.A. Demography (MADEM) / Master in Population Studies (MPOPS) and will complete the degree within two academic years.

5. The Fellow must not have a grade lower than 2.00 in any subject and must not have any incomplete (INC) grade. If an INC is incurred in a semester, it must be completed before the next semester’s registration period.

6. If the Fellow obtains a grade lower than 2.00 in any of the subjects but the General Weighted Average (GWA) is 2.0 or better during the first semester, the monthly stipend for the second semester will be reduced to P10,000. The full stipend amount will resume in the first month of the third semester, contingent upon the Fellow achieving a GWA of 2.00 or better (grades no lower than 2.00 in all subjects) during the second semester.

Additionally, if the Fellow obtains a grade lower than 2.00 in any subject during the second semester, the monthly stipend for the third semester will also be reduced to P10,000. The full stipend for the fourth semester will be granted, provided that the Fellow successfully defends a research proposal (if pursuing MADEM Plan A – thesis) or has passed the comprehensive examination (if pursuing MADEM Plan B – non-thesis or MPOPS) on the third semester.

7. For the Fellow to receive his/her monthly stipend during the midyear, he/she must start working on his/her graduate thesis by researching on a possible topic that it timely and relevant, or enroll in cognate subjects. Also, if requested, he/she must render services to the UPPI and/or DRDF.

8. With strong justification, the Fellow is allowed a one-year extension if he/she fail to finish the degree within the stipulated period. However, the Fellowship will only cover his/her tuition and miscellaneous fees. No stipend will be provided.

9. If the Fellow still did not complete the degree after the third year, the Fellowship will be forfeited and he/she must reimburse ALL the expenses incurred by the DRDF in connection with his/her fellowship.

10. Likewise, if the Fellow decides to discontinue/drop out from the MA Demography/Master of Population Studies program, his/her fellowship will be terminated effective on the month he/she filed an intention to do so. He/She will refund the DRDF all fellowship expenses expended to him/her for his/her graduate studies.

11. In case the Fellow files for a Leave of Absence (LOA) within the two-year period, he/she must submit a letter of request to justify the LOA. The LOA will be subjected to the review and approval of the Fellowship Committee to resume his/her Fellowship once he/she is re-admitted to the program.

12. The Fellow must attend and actively participate in activities organized by UPPI and DRDF during and after the fellowship.

Prepared by:

Maria Cristina B. Barrios

10 October 2024