Training programmes
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) offer an online training programme through NIHR Learn. It aims to improve research awareness, knowledge and skills for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are new to research and/or have minimal experience of research or research opportunities. You do not need to be an RPS member to access the programme and NIHR Learn is open to anyone employed by or assisting the NIHR, the NHS, a UK university or other publicly funded organisation conducting and supporting clinical research.
Visit the e-Learning for Pharmacy Professionals website.
The RPS also provides RPS Learn, an online learning platform tailored specifically for pharmacists. RPS Learn can help you improve your pharmacy practice and the Research & Evaluation module is particularly relevant if you are interested in clinical academia. Please note that RPS Learn is only available to RPS members.
Visit RPS Learn
The RPS offers a range of research support services to help you develop your skills and progress in clinical academia, including:
- research and evaluation guides
- 1:1 research support sessions
- feedback on research proposals, grant applications, abstracts, conference posters, journal articles and other publications
- mock interviews
- signposting to research events to support your development
- mentoring opportunities
Some of these services are specific to RPS members but all pharmacists are welcome to contact the RPS Research Team for more information.
Visit RPS Research Guidance & Support
Pharmacy Research UK
Pharmacy Research UK (PRUK) offers a range of training and events to help you develop your research skills. They also provide funding for some pharmacy research, usually supporting preliminary or exploratory projects that can strengthen applications to larger funders such as the NIHR.
Visit Pharmacy Research UK (PRUK)
The Society for Academic Primary Care
The Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) runs a Prescribing and Medication Optimisation Special Interest Group which welcomes early career researchers and new members.
This group brings together academics and clinicians working on prescribing, medication optimisation and related education. It helps you develop research ideas, promotes collaboration and supports dissemination. You can also receive feedback on research ideas and early-stage proposals, making it a valuable resource if you are starting out in clinical academia.
Visit Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC)
NIHR research support
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) provides information for allied health professionals, pharmacists and healthcare scientists interested in research. Programmes are offered for the following career stages:
The NIHR has invested in research infrastructure that offers a variety of training and development opportunities. These include Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs), Patient Safety Research Collaborations (PSRCs), and Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs). Resources and schemes can vary by region, so it’s important to explore what is available in your area.
The NIHR Schools also provide training and development opportunities specifically for aspiring clinical academics. For more information, visit the following websites:
The NIHR offers a range of funding schemes, including Research for Patient Benefit, Health and Social Care Delivery Research, and Programme Grants. Many pharmacists have successfully led and delivered research projects supported by these programmes, making them valuable opportunities if you are pursuing a clinical academic career.
Fellowship funding schemes in Scotland
The Chief Scientist Office in Scotland provides funding for fellowships at Pre-Doctoral, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral levels, which are open to Pharmacists working in the NHS in Scotland.
View the CSO website
NIHR INSIGHT Programmes (England only)
The NIHR Academy’s INSIGHT scheme aims to attract students in registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (excluding doctors and dentists) with funding for a wide range of engagement activities and research masters places.
The scheme will provide three years of funding for institutionally-led regional programmes in England to deliver:
- innovative engagement activities that showcase and attract people to a full range of research careers
- Research Masters Studentships, open to students and recent graduates, provide valuable training for individuals who may have had limited exposure to real world research during their training to date
View NIHR Academy’s INSIGHT scheme
