Applications now being accepted for PPRT 2012 Research Awards and Research Training Bursaries

Applications now being accepted for PPRT 2012 Research Awards and Research Training Bursaries.

The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust is now accepting applications from pharmacists interested in furthering their research experience for its Research Awards and Research Training Bursaries. This unique funding is vital towards developing a research active pharmacy profession which in turn can underpin the development of a strong evidence base needed for pharmacy to support its future aspirations and changing place in healthcare.

The Research Award scheme has two funds available to registered pharmacists. The Galen Award for one or more awards up to a total value of £10,000 and Sir Hugh Linstead Fellowship which provides one or more awards made annually to a total value of £45,000 funded by a grant from the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust in order to support research relating to community pharmacy.

The purpose of the awards is to build research capacity in pharmacy practice for the following groups:
• those requiring funding between PhD and post doctoral grants
• those requiring funding to go from MPhil to PhD
• practitioners new to research
• PhD students requiring ‘research costs’ to enhance their PhDs

The awards can also be used to fund new areas of research, e.g. pre-pilot and feasibility studies that would not be considered by other funding bodies. All applicants must be a registered Pharmacist (those currently undertaking preregistration training will be considered but will need to have joined the register before receiving funding).

The Research Training Bursary scheme supports community and PCO pharmacists who have an interest and can demonstrate a real need for external support to advance their skills and careers in research relating to everyday practices. The Trust has £40K from the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust to fund a number of projects as follows:

Level 1 – funding to undertake research modules and a small-scale project (supported by a research organisation, for example, a Higher Education Institute, Primary Care Research Network or Research Design Service).
Level 2 – funding to upgrade a Diploma in Clinical/Community Pharmacy to a MSc, which usually involves undertaking a further two modules (one on research methods) and undertaking a project.
Level 3 – funding to undertake a non-pharmacy MSc.

Says Beth Allen, Director of the PPRT:

“We are committed to supporting research capacity and hope that more community pharmacists will be encouraged to apply for a research training grant and follow the examples of our many bursary holders who have already recognised the value of research in their own practice and in a wider professional context.”

The deadline for applications is: Research Bursaries, Friday, 11th May 2012 and Research Awards, Friday, 25th May 2012.