Starting a career in healthcare market research is both exciting and challenging. At EPHMRA, we recognise the importance of nurturing and supporting new talent during their early careers, and we are pleased to be in our fourth year of the EPHMRA Young Professionals Conference Grants initiative. Here’s everything you need to know about the initiative.
What Are the EPHMRA Young Professionals Conference Grants?
Each year, EPHMRA awards up to five free delegate places at its annual conference to Young Professionals working in healthcare market research. These grants aim to encourage fresh perspectives, support professional growth, and ensure that the next generation of researchers can access the latest industry insights and networking opportunities.
The annual EPHMRA conference is a highlight in the international healthcare market research calendar, bringing together experts, thought leaders, and innovators from across the globe. Attending this event can be a game-changer for Young Professionals, offering exposure to cutting-edge topics, best practices, and invaluable connections with peers and colleagues from the wider industry.
Who Can Apply?
The grants are available to anyone who has worked in healthcare market research for less than five years. Whether you’re with an agency or an industry member company, you’re eligible to apply as long as you’ve never attended the EPHMRA Annual Conference before. There’s no limit to the number of applications from any one company, so if you and your colleagues are interested, you’re all welcome to throw your hats in the ring and apply!
How Does the Application Process Work?
Applying is refreshingly straightforward. You need to submit a one-page PDF that covers three key points:
Your background – Share your professional journey so far.
How attending the conference will help you in your current role – Explain what you hope to gain and how it will benefit your work.
How EPHMRA will benefit from your attendance – Consider what fresh perspectives or contributions you could bring to the event.
Applications are typically due by the end of February each year. Once submitted, a panel of EPHMRA board members reviews all entries, looking for passion, potential, and a clear sense of how the grant will make a difference. Winners are usually announced in April.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners
With 35 high-quality submissions for the 2025 Grants, the judges faced the challenge of selecting the winners, and we are excited for them to join us at the Annual Conference in London this June. Congratulations to:
🌟 Ellie Hill, Senior Research Executive, Beyond Blue.
🌟 Emma Johnstone, Research Executive, Simpson Carpenter.
🌟 Lucy Fitzgibbon, Senior Account Manager, M3 Global Research.
🌟 Shreya Saraf, Research Manager, Elma Research.
🌟 Yael Gordon, Associate, Boxee Group.
Preparing for success.
Ahead of the conference, the EPHMRA team will meet with the 2025 cohort of grant winners, where EPHMRA’s General Manager and Deputy GM will assist the group in preparing for the conference to maximise their experience. We’ll introduce one another so the winners can connect in advance and review the event programme so everyone can explore the papers and sessions they are interested in attending. Additionally, we will offer advice on making the most of the networking opportunities, cover the practicalities of attending a three-day conference, and answer any specific questions individuals may have.
During the live event in June, EPHMRA’s Deputy GM will be on hand to support the winners; there will be a couple of scheduled ‘check-ins’ with the group to ensure that everyone is enjoying the event and finding their way, both literally and metaphorically! We will also ask the cohort of 2025 winners to record video footage to share their experiences at the event and the value they have gained from attending the conference and encourage the next cohort of potential winners to participate in 2026.
Why Apply?
Winning a grant means more than just a free ticket to the best conference in the industry. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the latest thinking, meet industry leaders, and build a network that could shape your career for years to come. You’ll return to your role inspired with new ideas, fresh energy, and a broader understanding of the field, which will benefit your organisation, too. Take a look at this short video of last year’s winners and see what they had to say about their experience.
Final Thoughts
The EPHMRA Young Professionals Conference Grants are an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to make their mark in healthcare market research. If you’re eligible, don’t hesitate - take the opportunity, share your story, and you could find yourself at the centre of the industry’s most exciting event in 2026. For full details and application guidelines, visit the EPHMRA website. www.ephmra.org.uk