PhD Studentship Scheme
The 2026 PRUK funding round will launch on 24th November 2025 and close at 1pm on 25th March 2026.
Pharmacy Research UK are offering all UK registered pharmacy professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, funding to support the costs of a full-time or part-time PhD project up to £100,000. We are delighted to be able to offer funding for stipend, research and tuition costs to support the progression of a PhD project. The PhD Studentship scheme will be replacing the former Research Development Awards that were offered in previous funding rounds.
Who is eligible to apply?
This scheme is open to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. All applicants must be a UK registered pharmacy professional (those currently undertaking pre-registration training will be considered but will need to have joined the register before receiving funding).
As a key purpose of the awards is to build research capacity and capability in pharmacy, the award will be appropriate for pharmacy professionals who are ready to pursue a PhD project and have the appropriate qualifications and experience to do so.
While we accept proposals across a wide range of areas and topics, we do not fund lab-based research. We therefore expect proposals to be related to research in pharmacy practice. You may wish to refer to our research strategy, which broadly outlines the areas we prioritise, but we are happy to consider non lab-based research that fall outside of those areas. We also welcome applications that are being part-funded or have financial support from another institution.
To apply for a PhD Studentship, please download the PhD Studentship application form and read the PhD Studentship guidance document for further information on completing the application form. These files are available at the bottom of this page.
Please ensure you refer to the guidance document before submitting your application, as this contains important information on all the documents you need to provide with your application.
For further information on the selection process, please see how we fund research. If you are unable to download any of the documents please contact us.
Selection
Shortlisted applications will be externally peer reviewed and discussed at the June Scientific Advisory Panel meeting, before successful applicants are invited to interview to discuss their application, which will include a presentation from the applicant, followed by questions from the interview panel.
2026 Funding Round Timetable
| 2026 PRUK funding round launch | 24th November 2025 |
| 2026 PRUK funding round deadline | 1pm on 25th March 2026 |
| Applicants notified of initial outcome (i.e. invitation to interview stage) | w/c 29th June 2026 |
| Online interviews (for shortlisted PhD studentship awards and Level 2 bursaries only) | 8th or 9th July 2026 |
| Applicants notified of final outcome | 31st July 2026 |
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