- The Bangsamoro Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) offered two scholarship programs for the academic year 2026: the BASE Scholarship (₱8,000/month) and the BASE-MERIT Scholarship (₱20,000/month) for incoming first-year STEM college students from BARMM.
- Application deadline was March 31, 2026, with a qualifying examination tentatively set for April 14, 2026.
- Students from Sulu Province are currently not eligible for this scholarship program.
For Bangsamoro students heading into college with a STEM program, the regional government has one of the most generous monthly stipends offered by any local scholarship program in the country.
The Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education or BASE and its higher-tier counterpart, BASE-MERIT, are scholarship programs under the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). Both are designed to build a pipeline of science and technology professionals from within the BARMM region.
Two programs, two stipend levels
The BASE and BASE-MERIT programs offer different monthly financial assistance depending on which scholarship you qualify for:
| Scholarship | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| BASE Scholarship | ₱8,000 per month |
| BASE-MERIT Scholarship | ₱20,000 per month |
Both program cover students enrolled in Applied Science and Technology courses at either State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) or CHED-recognized private higher education institutions with FAAP Level II accreditation.
The ₱20,000 monthly stipend under BASE-MERIT is one of the highest offered by any regional government scholarship program in the Philippines almost the same as the monthly pay of a new graduate starting their first job.
Read also: DOST JLSS Scholarship
Who can apply?
Both scholarship programs share the same basic eligibility framework, with one key difference in GWA requirement depending on your SHS strand:
- Natural-born Filipino citizen
- Resident of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
- Incoming first-year college student specifically graduating from Senior High School this semester
- GWA of at least 85% if you came from a STEM strand
- GWA of at least 90% if you came from a non-STEM strand
- Must pass the BASE & BASE-MERIT Qualifying Examination
Who is NOT eligible?
- Students from Sulu Province are currently not eligible for this program
- Currently enrolled college students this scholarship is for incoming first-year students only
- Applicants who cannot submit the complete application form (A to H)
The official announcement clearly states that applicants from Sulu Province are not included. If you are from Sulu, contact Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) directly to ask about other scholarship programs you may qualify for.
Read also: CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship
What courses are covered?
The BASE and BASE-MERIT scholarships cover Applied Science and Technology courses under MOST’s priority S&T fields. These include STEM-related degree programs and other highly specialized courses aligned with regional development needs.
For the complete and updated list of priority courses, access the official brochure and course list here: https://bit.ly/3Nt5O6D
What documents do you need?
Requirements are straightforward but must be submitted completely:
- Fully accomplished Application Form (Sections A to H) – downloaded, filled out, scanned, and saved as a PDF
- Grade 12 Report Card:
- 1st semester only for graduating SHS students (not yet finished)
- Both 1st and 2nd semesters for SHS graduates
Important: Do not send physical copies yet. Hard copies are only required once you are officially declared a Potential Qualifier. For the initial application, upload soft copies only.
Walk-in applications are not accepted.
How to apply for BARMM Scholarship 2026
Step 1: Download and complete the application form
Get the BASE or BASE-MERIT Application Form from the official link: https://bit.ly/3Nt5O6D
Fill out all sections (A to H) completely. Once done, scan the accomplished form and save it as a PDF.
Step 2: Submit online
Go to the official online submission portal: https://bit.ly/mostbase_basemerit2026
Upload your completed application form and all required documents. Double-check that everything is uploaded correctly before final submission.
Step 3: Prepare for the qualifying examination
To help applicants prepare, MOST provided official refresher and practice tests:
BASE practice test: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1K3qbxfmwG/
BASE-MERIT practice test: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AMVVxpzeP/
Use these, they’re from the official MOST page and are the best available preview of what the exam will cover.
Step 4: Take the qualifying exam
Qualifying exam was tentatively scheduled for April 14, 2026. Qualified applicants will be notified with specific exam details.
Step 5: Submit hard copies (Potential Qualifiers only)
If you are declared a Potential Qualifier after the exam, you will be instructed to submit your physical copies of all documents at that stage.
Application Period
| Schedule | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application opens | 19 January |
| Application deadline | March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM (closed) |
| Qualifying examination (tentative) | April 14, 2026 |
Source: Bangsamoro Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
