The VSU PACER Grant (BOR Referendum No. 22, s. 2025) aims to pair a complementary ally to collaborate with an emerging researcher through a buddy system. In a nutshell, a young/early career researcher (‘ECR’) with potential publication/policy/patent/other IPs collaborates one-on-one with a senior/experienced researcher. An ECR may include faculty members with stalled manuscripts, completed but unpublished projects (across REI), or other related outputs that only require additional support or collaborative efforts to be published or registered.
The senior researcher (‘PACER’)—with a track record of Scopus-indexed publications, registered patents (or other IPs), or approved policies—will serve as a close mentor and collaborator, setting the pace until the ECR achieves a publication, policy approval, or patent. In the end, the PACER is remunerated for their mentorship role without being included in the authorship.
Overall, the PACER Grant aims to:
• Foster a culture of mentorship and collaboration among VSU faculty researchers by creating a dynamic buddy system.
• Enhance peer-to-peer collaboration between PACERs and ECRs to accelerate the publication and registration of REI outputs.
• Boost Scopus-indexed publications, policy recommendations, patents, and other IP outputs in line with VSU’s strategic priorities.
What is this for the ECR, PACER, and VSU?
• ECR – publication process accelerated. The PACER-ECR is given a maximum of six months from the time of approval to submission to a Scopus-indexed journal or other appropriate bodies for other outputs.
• PACER – provision of support remunerated. PACERs with approved grant shall be entitled to ₱15,000.00/output with a maximum of two grants/engagements at a time.
• VSU – publication outputs strengthened.
Qualifications for ECR and PACER applicants are outlined below:
A. For Publications*:
• Asst. Professor 4 and below
• Assoc. Professor 1 and above with not more than one Scopus-indexed publication
*Original research/narrative or systematic reviews, meta-analysis/case studies/research note
B. For Policy Briefs/ Recommendations
• All faculty members regardless of rank
C. For Intellectual Property (IP)*
• All faculty members regardless of rank
*Patents, industrial designs, utility models, copyright, etc.
A. For Publications*:
• Any faculty member with at least 3 Scopus-indexed either as primary or corresponding author
*Original research/narrative or systematic reviews, meta-analysis/case studies/research note
B. For Policy Briefs/ Recommendations
• Any faculty member with policy brief/recommendation endorsed/approved at the local/regional/national level
C. For Intellectual Property (IP)*
• Any faculty member with published/registered IPs
*Patents, industrial designs, utility models, copyright, etc.
