Eligible Applicants

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria and comply with all requirements:

• A Filipino citizen of legal age (18 years old and above).
   
• FOR FILM: Filipino director or producer registered in the FDCP National Registry.
  • FDCP National Registry
    The National Registry (NR) is a program under the FDCP that maintains a database of active film, television, and press workers, audiovisual workers, production companies, organizations, and film festivals in the Philippines.
    
    All applicants of the National Artist Program must be duly registered under the National Registry for Companies (NRC). If the director of the project is a Filipino, he/she must be registered under National Registry for Audiovisual Workers (NRAW). ​​​​​​
     
• Holds or shares the intellectual property rights of the project. Any disputes arising regarding intellectual property rights post-submission will lead to disqualification of the entry until such disputes are fully resolved.
   
• Have all necessary rights to develop, produce, and distribute the project.
• Do not have any overdue obligations from any FDCP assistance or funding programs.
• The project must not concurrently be funded by another FDCP program.
• Fully comply with all eligibility requirements as set by the FDCP, including the timely submission of required documents and adherence to all application guidelines.

​​​​Eligible Projects and Format

FILM

Full-length Narrative Feature films, short films (should be at least 20 minutes running time), and documentary films and documentary series, animation, or mixed media.

• The project should be in the pre-production phase, or at the script/proposal stage, with clear development beyond the initial concept. This means the project must have a finalized script, detailed production plan, or visual treatment, and must be prepared for production or further development.

BOOKS

• Eligible book formats include biographies, non-fiction narratives, literary works, and comics that highlight the life, achievements, and contributions of the National Artist for Cinema and Film and Broadcast Arts, providing in-depth insights into their impact on the industry and culture.

RESEARCH

• Eligible research studies must be at the level of an MA thesis or higher, including PhD dissertations, scholarly or academic studies, and other advanced research projects.
• The applicant may conduct basic, applied, or action research using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approaches, with a primary focus on the National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts.
• Both individuals and organizations are eligible to apply for support under the National Artist Program, provided the research meets the criteria outlined.

​​​​Ineligible Project

1. Advertisements or commercials
2. Television series/programs
3. News or current affairs programs
4. Productions of public or live events
5. Projects containing explicit content, excessive violence, defamatory material, or content deemed harmful to national interest will be disqualified.
6. Films with excessive violence, political propaganda, or films sponsored by government entities.
7. Projects with pending obligation/unliquidated funds with FDCP.
8. Projects with no clear alignment to the National Artist for Cinema and Film and Broadcast Arts’ life or works.
9. For Films:
   Projects that have already been completed or have begun production prior to the application
    
10. For Books:
    • Projects that have been completed or partially published and/or distributed prior to the submission of the application
     
11. For Research:
    • Studies that have already been completed or published before the application period.
    
    • Research that does not directly focus on the National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts.
    
    • Projects that lack a well-defined research methodology or do not meet standards of scholarly excellence.
    
    • Studies with ethical concerns, including plagiarism or improper use of sources.

(Note: For more information, please refer to the complete guidelines of the National Artist Program.)

Provisional Application Process

• Applicants must read and understand the General Guidelines, including expectations and deliverables.
• To apply, applicants must access the application form through the google link posted on the FDCP website www.fdcp.ph. This will serve as the platform for application and submission of requirements

Important notes:

1. Required documents for the application and other forms must be supplied in English or Filipino only.
2. All application requirements must be consolidated and submitted at once.
3. Supporting documents that are sent separately will be disregarded, and the application will be considered incomplete 

GFORMS LINK FOR NATIONAL ARTIST PROGRAM [FILM]
National Artist Program - Film Application

GFORMS LINK FOR NATIONAL ARTIST PROGRAM [BOOKS]
National Artist Program - Book Application

GFORMS LINK FOR NATIONAL ARTIST PROGRAM [RESEARCH]
National Artist Program - Research Application

• Applicants must fill out the Application Form and submit the required documents stated on III.B. REQUIREMENTS.
• Applicants must wait for the email notification on the submitted Application form.
• NAP Program Officer will verify all the submitted documents and applicants may be asked to provide supplementary documents, should it be decided that the submitted documents contain inadequate details.
• Once all documentary requirements are completed, the National Artist Program (NAP) Program Officer will submit the project to the FDCP management and Board of Trustees, for review and approval.
• Once approved, the NAP Program Officer must notify the applicant via email and schedule an orientation on eligible expenses.
• Each applicant/ organization is permitted to undertake only one (1) project per fiscal year.

 EVALUATION

Projects will be reviewed based on the following:

FOR FILMS

FOR BOOKS

FOR RESEARCH

Please note that in addition to the above considerations, the application may be declined if it does not comply with the guidelines of the funding as stated herein.

The decision of the FDCP Board of Trustees (BOT) is final and irrevocable. The BOT is not obliged to give any further explanation of the results.

PROCESS FOR SELECTED PROJECTS

1. Selected applicants will be notified via email following FDCP Management and Board of Trustees' approval.
2. The proponent is required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the FDCP, certifying compliance with the National Artist Program guidelines.
   
   The MOA must be wet signed by the proponent on all pages (excluding the notarial page) and printed in four (4) copies on legal-size bond paper.
   
   The proponent is responsible for submitting the completed MOA to the FDCP Main Office (7th floor, Mirax Tower 1, 2270 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City). Once both parties have signed the MOA, the FDCP will notarize the document and return a copy to the proponent. 
   
   The MOA must be finalized BEFORE the start of production or publishing.
    
3. ​​​​​​The Program Officer will coordinate with the proponent regarding the processing of the approved assistance. A briefing will be conducted to address the technical details and ensure the proponent fully understands the requirements and procedures associated with the grant.
4. The production or publishing timeline must align with the timeliness stated in the MOA. Any changes must be communicated to the NAP Officer via email, with an official request submitted to the FDCP Chairman and CEO for approval.
5. Projects must be completed within one (1) year from the MOA signing date. Final deliverables must be submitted as part of liquidation and verification.

• National Artist Program General Guidelines