NAME OF AWARDS:
MERCK RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE PHARMACY STUDENTS

PURPOSE OF AWARDS:
To identify and encourage promising students to consider research-oriented careers. Specifically, the goals of the program are to increase the numbers of students in graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. in the basic, clinical, and administrative pharmaceutical sciences; and ultimately in research careers in industry, on faculties of pharmacy, and related organizations.

NUMBER OF AWARDS and STIPENDS:
Twelve (12) at $5,500: $5,000 is provided for a research project for a full calendar year beginning as early as 2003-04 summer semester and ending no later than the 2004-2005 summer session. $500 is provided for supplies. At the end of the research period, students will present a report of their findings at a symposium, held in conjunction with an AACP annual meeting. Expenses for participating in this symposium will be paid by the Merck Research Scholarship Program. There are no postgraduate service or repayment obligations.

ELIGIBILITY:
A student must be registered in a professional pharmacy degree program (i.e., have completed at least two years of college coursework, plus one year of the professional pharmacy curriculum), be a United States citizen or permanent resident, and have and maintain a 3.00 GPA or better in the professional degree program. Awardee must: 1) not accept any other concurrent research support (e.g., AFPE, ASHP, or PhRMA) for the proposal (in the case of multiple source awards, the student must choose only one), 2) not apply for an AFPE Research Scholarship in future years, 3) agree to present their research results at an AACP annual meeting, 4) be enrolled for at least a full calendar year after initiation of the award, and 5) submit a final report, including an abstract of the research results and appropriate recognition to the sponsoring organization.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Application packets are sent to all ACPE accredited institutions by AACP. Additional applications must be requested from AACP. Program applications will be available for the 2004-05 academic year in late October 2003. Please contact your dean or e-mail Ms. Amy B. Connelly (aconnelly@aacp.org) at AACP for program application materials at that time.

APPLICATION DEADLINE AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Application materials must be received at AACP in late January 2004. The awardee will be notified by mail in mid April 2005. Funding for successful applicants can begin any time after June 1, 2005. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Kenneth Miller (kmiller@aacp.org).

NOTE: The AFPE "Gateway" Research Scholarship Programs are similar. Eligible students are encouraged to apply for both the AFPE "Gateway" Research Scholarship programs and the Merck Research Scholarship program. AACP and AFPE will coordinate to avoid duplicate awards.