The New Zealand Pharmacy Education and Research Foundation (NZPERF) was established in 1967 as a charitable trust for the benefit of the pharmacy profession. Originally established with a seeding grant from the Pharmaceutical Society, the Foundation has sought and attracted tax deductible grants and donations from pharmacists and from members of the pharmaceutical industry.  These funds have been invested by honorary Trustees who manage the fund, which currently stands at over $2.9 million.

The interest and dividends received from the fund's investments are allocated to applicants by a Foundation Board that meets in May and November each year. In addition to grants for specific projects, the Foundation also funds some specific Prizes.

The purposes of NZPERF are:

•  to assist in funding the development of pharmacy education in New Zealand;

•  to assist in funding research into the science and practice of pharmacy;

•  to ensure that New Zealand pharmacists have the opportunity to remain at the forefront of their profession.

NZPERF Trustees

The Trustees are Alan Fraser, Ron Rosenberg, Peter Stannard, David Buckle, Ian Lawrence, Barry Clevely, Brian Johnston and Gordon Ritson.

NZPERF Board

The Foundation Board comprises representatives of the Society (Diana Drumm and Ann Privett) NZHPA (Lorraine Welman), Pharmacy Guild (Brian Johnston) and the pharmaceutical educational institutions (Ian Tucker and Janie Sheridan).

Carolyn Hooper, Professional Services Manager of the Pharmaceutical Society, is the Secretary of NZPERF.

The Trustees and Board members give their services and time freely without fees or allowances.

Making a Donation to NZPERF

Donations to NZPERF are tax deductible and all pharmacists and pharmacies are invited to consider including a donation with their Society membership fees each year. Such monies are treated as capital and invested in the Trust Fund. Donations can be sent to NZPERF, PO Box 11-640, Manners Street, Wellington 6142. Pharmacists when reviewing their Will may wish to consider making a bequest or legacy to the NZ Pharmacy Education and Research Foundation.

Thank you to all who donated in 2008

Project Applications

The Foundation welcomes applications from pharmacists from all areas of the profession who want support to undertake practice-related research. Examples of recent grants awarded include:

•  How do bile salts increase the penetration of drugs into the brain?

•  New Zealand pharmacists' responses to the Ten Year Vision for Pharmacists in NZ

•  Current community pharmacists' treatment of sprains and strains with NSAIDs

•  How the Pharmacy Self Care program is perceived and used by pharmacy staff

•  Review and evaluation of pharmacist involvement in health screening services

•  Investigation of drug stability in suspensions by Raman spectroscopy

The Trust Deed specifies that the purpose of the Foundation is to stimulate advances in pharmacy education and research in New Zealand. Thus, grants are only made when the Board is of the opinion that the completion of the project will benefit pharmacy in this country. The Board does not normally fund applications for travel expenses incurred in the process of completing projects.

Guidelines For Applicants

All applications including the cover sheet must be typed, using the link NZPERF Grant Application form and Guidelines.  These can also be obtained from the NZPERF Secretary.

Applications must be submitted by 20th April or 20th October of each year.  

It is important that the completed application form complies with the requirements specified in the grant application guidelines.  If deadlines are not met grant applicants/holders risk ongoing and future funding.

A person who applies for a grant to undertake study overseas will be required to give an assurance that if a grant is made, he or she will return to New Zealand and remain involved with the profession of pharmacy for a subsequent period to be specified by the Board at the time the grant is awarded.

Prizes

In addition to grants for specific projects, the Foundation sponsors summer studentships, awards for best conference presentations and best intern assignments:

• NZHPA Conference - For a paper most deserving of being published to a wider audience:  $500 to Best First Time Presenter.

• Intern Training Programme - Patient-Centred Care Assignments - Top two assignments:  $500 each (plus publication of the paper in a New Zealand pharmacy publication.)

For further information contact: The Secretary, New Zealand Pharmacy Education and Research Foundation, PO Box 11-640, Manners Street, Wellington 6142. Phone 04 802 0030, Fax 04 382 9297, E-mail: p.society@psnz.org.nz