The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7197 p633-640
11 May 2002

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Pharmacy Practice Research Trust launches first training bursaries for masters degree courses

The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust is inviting pharmacists to apply for one of its first research training awards. The initial research training bursaries will support pharmacists who wish to undertake masters level courses in subjects relevant to research in pharmacy practice.

The bursaries are aimed at pharmacists who can demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to developing research either as part of their daily practice or as part of larger projects working in collaboration with academic institutions. Previous research experience is not essential.

The bursaries can be used to fund any course that is relevant to conducting practice research in pharmacy (either clinical or health services research). Courses must include a significant teaching component covering research methods and a period of supervised research leading to preparation of a thesis or dissertation. Courses with components such as health economics, epidemiology, sociology, health psychology or related subjects have been identified as being of particular relevance.

An applicant must hold a first degree in pharmacy and be working as an independent community pharmacist, locum or a pharmacist employee of a small chain (up to 60 registered premises).

Each bursary will cover salary (pro rata for part-time), course fees, research costs (up to a maximum of £250, to include printing, postage and travel) and conference fees (up to a maximum of £200) to allow attendance and presentation of work at one or more UK conferences. The bursaries are funded by the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust.

The Pharmacy Practice Research Trust is an independent research charity, for which the Royal Pharmaceutical Society provides core funding as part of its investment in practice research. The bursaries are offered through the trust's new "Medicines and People" programme, which aims to promote research that will enable policy makers, manufacturers, prescribers and others to "better understand people who use medicines and the contexts in which they use them".

Dr Sue Ambler, trust director, said: "These bursaries offer community pharmacists an opportunity to take the first crucial steps in developing research expertise and experience. At a time when participation in research is developing rapidly among other professional groups it is crucial that pharmacists have similar opportunities.

"The trust's research training bursaries are both essential and timely for developing research workforce capacity in pharmacy and will make a significant contribution to achieving the trust's Medicines and People programme objectives."

The bursaries are intended to fund courses that begin in autumn 2002 but, because this is the first year, applications will also be considered for courses beginning in 2003.

Application forms and notes for guidance are available from Kerry Crabb, Medicines and People, c/o 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN.

The closing date for receipt of applications for bursaries is 14 June. Interviews will be held in July.