A number of grants from Pharmacy Research UK (PRUK) are now open for application, including full funding for a full-time PhD studentship.

The PhD Studentship Award is being trialled in PRUK’s annual funding round for the first time in place of its Research Development Awards. It is designed to support the salary, tuition and research costs associated with undertaking a full-time or part-time PhD.

Also included in the 2024 PRUK funding round and open for application are:

  • Research Training Bursaries (two levels of funding) for UK registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have an interest in developing their skills in conducting research relating to everyday practice;
  • BOPA-PRUK Research Award, designed for pharmacy professionals to undertake research projects in translational and health service related to oncology and haematology pharmacy;
  • CMHP-PRUK Research Award for pharmacy professionals to undertake practice research for the benefit of patients with mental illness.

From 2024, all UK registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are eligible to apply to the PRUK schemes.

The application deadline is 1pm on 27 March 2024. Applicants will be notified of the initial outcome in the week commencing 1 July 2024, with online interviews taking place on 9 July.

Approximately 33% of applications received by PRUK for the 2023 round were funded.

Meanwhile, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, which hosts PRUK’s offices and staff, has announced the appointment of Dr Amira Guirguis as the new chair of its Science and Research Committee (SRC).

Dr Guirguis – who holds a PhD in novel psychoactive substances detection and is an expert in substance misuse – said she was ‘honoured and privileged’ to chair the SRC.

‘I am looking forward to working with a distinguished team dedicated to integrating science into pharmacy practice, foster pharmaceutical science research and collaborations across disciplines, and contribute to providing expert advice on cutting-edge science that enhance patient care,’ she added.