The DOST - JSPS Joint Scientific Cooperation Program is an inter-institutional cooperative arrangement initiated on 15 March 1979 through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Scientific Cooperation between the then National Science Development Board (now the Department of Science and Technology) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

This bilateral program aims to establish sustainable collaborative relations for the advancement of the mutual benefits of the Philippines and Japan under the principle of reciprocity. It also aims to promote scientific researches and exchanges thorough exchange of scientists, holding of scientific seminars, and conduct of dissertation and degree researches under the joint guidance of Filipino and Japanese advisers. The Program is designed to create high potential research nuclei in the fields of natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. The Program fosters and looks after the next generation of leading researcher in the country.