2026 Funding Round
The 2026 PRUK funding round will launch on 24th November 2025 and close at 1pm on 25th March 2026.
Pharmacy Research UK provide a range of funding grants to those involved in pharmacy research. We support a number of smaller training bursaries to allow UK registered pharmacy professionals to develop research capacity, skills, knowledge and gain additional qualifications. We are also continuing to offer funding for a fully-funded PhD studentship.
We are also happy to confirm that all UK registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are eligible to apply to our schemes. Further information about each of the schemes we offer is available in the respective links below.
Our grant making process is underpinned by a national competition and a robust research governance framework, in line with the principles of the Association of Medical Research Charities.
PhD Studentship Award CLOSED
This funding scheme is designed to support the salary, tuition and research costs associated with undertaking a full-time or part-time PhD.
After a decade of supporting pharmacy research, we understand just how exciting and important research in pharmacy has been – not just for the profession, but for the wider healthcare research landscape. Building research capacity in pharmacy practice is vital for developing a research active pharmacy profession.
Research Training Bursaries CLOSED
Research training bursaries provide funding for UK registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have an interest in developing their skills in conducting research relating to every day practice. There are two levels of funding within this scheme.
BOPA-PRUK Research Award CLOSED
The BOPA-PRUK Research Award (jointly funded by BOPA and PRUK) is designed for pharmacy professionals in oncology and haematology to undertake research projects in translational and health service related to oncology and haematology pharmacy, with a focus on patient benefit.
CMHP-PRUK Research Award CLOSED
The CMHP-PRUK Research Award (jointly funded by CMHP and PRUK) is a great opportunity for pharmacy professionals to undertake practice research for the benefit of patients with mental illness, and which contribute to enhancing the quality of care with psychiatric medicines through improving pharmaceutical services or ensuring safe and effective use of medicines.
NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (PCAF) CLOSED
The NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship is available to professionals who wish to develop clinical academic careers. The PCAF is open to early career researchers who can have salaried time to prepare an application for funding, in order to provide the skills necessary to access doctoral level funding. We are pleased to be supporting pharmacists who wish to apply to this scheme.
Expert Review and Selection
Expert review is the process by which applications for grants to PRUK are judged by experts within a relevant research field. Expert review should be independent and carried out by individuals who have no conflicts of interest with both the institution and individual applying to PRUK for funding. PRUK adheres to the guidelines set by the Association of Medical Research Charities.
Applications will be assessed and shortlisted through a process of expert review. For the PhD Studentship, each application will be reviewed by three members of our Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). Following this assessment, applications will then be shortlisted to the next stage – external expert review. This consists of each application being independently reviewed by at least two external reviewers. The shortlisted applications will then be discussed at the main SAP meeting to determine who will be invited for interview. Shortlisted applicants from the PhD Studentship and Level 2 Research Training Bursary schemes will be invited to interview to discuss their application, which will include a presentation from the applicant, followed by questions from the interview panel. The final funding recommendations will then be made, once all interviews have taken place.
Apply to be an external expert reviewer
Success rate in 2025
Approximately 40% of applications received in 2025 for PRUK funding round were funded.
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 |
Join our mailing list and follow us on twitter @PharmResUk to receive updates.
