NACDS Foundation taking Community PREP applications

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation is giving $1.5 million in pharmacy residency grants to nonprofit academic institutions over the next 2 years.

As part of its Community Pharmacy Residency Program (Community PREP), the Foundation will award 15 grants of $50,000 each in 2011. In 2012, 15 additional grants will be available. The goal of NACDS Foundation's new PREP program is to create 30 new residency positions in community pharmacy.

“These patient-focused residency programs will help cultivate pharmacy graduates’ abilities to provide innovation in the delivery of patient-care services under the expert guidance of community pharmacy preceptors,” said Edith Rosato, RPh, IOM, president of the NACDS Foundation.

Eligible schools can apply between February 1 and July 1, 2011, for “traditional track” applicants, who must fill residency positions by July 1, 2012, and between February 1 and March 15 for “accelerated track” applicants, who must fill residency positions by July 1, 2011.

Applying schools must have a partnership with a community pharmacy, and the new residency must be accredited or intended for pursuit of accreditation after graduation of its first resident, said Alex Adams, PharmD, director of pharmacy programs for NACDS Foundation.

For information on the grants, visit www.NACDSFoundation.org.