Celebrating a legacy: the Sir David Jack PhD Scholarship launches

The British Pharmacological Society is proud to launch the Sir David Jack PhD Scholarship, a transformative new funding programme made possible by a generous donation from the family of Sir David Jack. This initiative honours Sir David’s pioneering contributions to respiratory medicine and his enduring impact on pharmacology.


Sir David Jack (1924 – 2011)

Over the next decade, the scholarship will support approximately 40 PhD students, fostering the next generation of pharmacologists and therapeutic innovators. Each year, up to four students will be funded to study at institutions across the UK and Ireland, complementing our existing AJ Clark Studentship.

The programme was officially launched at the inaugural Sir David Jack Symposium, held on Thursday 29 May 2025 at the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London. The event celebrated Sir David’s life and legacy, and spotlighted the exciting opportunities this scholarship offers to young researchers. 


Professor Clive Page OBE (BPS Past President) opening the inaugural Sir David Jack Symposium.

Attendees on the lawn at Charter House Square, Queen Mary University of London.

Speakers at the 2025 symposium included:

• Professor Sir Mark Caulfield - Queen Mary University of London, BPS President
• Professor Clive Page OBE - King's College London,  BPS Past President
• Professor Mona Bafadehl - King's Centre for Lung Health
• Professor Ian Adcock - Imperial College London 
• Dr Simon Pitchford - King's College London

Sir David's family were in attendance and welcomed the exciting news of the scholarship.

From left to right: Rachel Lambert-Forsyth (BPS CEO); Professor Sir Mark Caulfield (BPS President); Norma Jack and Moira Rugg (Sir David Jack's daughters); Professor Clive Page OBE (BPS Past President).

The Sir David Jack Symposium will become a yearly event, taking place at the Society's annual Pharmacology meeting. It will allow recipients of the scholarship the opportunity to share news about their research with the scientific community.

Applications for the 2026 awards are now open, with a deadline of 31 October 2025.