New programme of PhD studentships
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has now launched its new programme
of PhD studentships (PJ, 22 October 2005, p531) and is inviting schools of pharmacy to submit bids to host studentships in 2007.
The aim of the new scheme, the Society says, is “to help develop
the next generation of academic pharmacists”. The programme has
been designed with the goal of increasing the number of pharmacists who
enter and stay in academia as a career. It also aims to foster the role
of the academic workforce in developing and leading the profession of
pharmacy.
The new studentships, called the Academic Excellence Awards, are intended
to help exceptional pharmacists and pharmacy graduates who are interested
in pursuing a career in academic pharmacy to undertake PhDs.
The new programme differs from the previous PhD studentship scheme in
that schools will have to compete to host an award. The successful schools
will then be responsible for selecting, administering and supervising
students throughout their period of training.
Under the earlier scheme, funding was offered equally to all UK schools
of pharmacy on a three-year rolling basis.
The previous funding scheme began in 1999 and funded 19 students during
its five-year operating period, with a total investment of £500,000.
After a consultation in 2005 to review how well the scheme had addressed
its purpose, the Society’s Council accepted a recommendation that
it should be replaced with a competitive scheme.
Under the new programme, the Society is inviting the 16 UK schools of
pharmacy that have fully accredited MPharm programmes to submit applications
to host one of two Academic Excellence Awards
in 2007. The deadline for completed applications is 30 June. Applications
will be reviewed by peer reviewers from subject areas related to the
application and considered by a panel with a view to making the awards
in October.
Guidance notes for interested schools are available on the research
page of Society’s website or by contacting Florita Sanz
(tel 020 7572 2278).
Two awards will also be made for each of the following two years.
Stephen Denyer, a member of the Society’s Council and head of the
Welsh School of Pharmacy, said: “The Society has long recognised
the crucial role that academic pharmacists play in education and advancing
the profession, and has been administering research awards for nearly
100 years.
“This new competitive programme will better identify those pharmacists
who demonstrate an aptitude for research and a commitment to a career
in academia. It will look to place these students with research leaders
committed to developing the profession.
“A PhD is vital for pharmacists who wish to pursue an academic
career in pharmacy. It is a rewarding career which offers the chance
to train
the next generation of pharmacists, impart knowledge and to conduct research
that will support and improve future practice.”
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