Dr. Falk/Guts UK awards
At Dr. Falk Pharma, looking to the future is a vital part of what we do. That’s why we are passionate about encouraging and supporting the next generation of HCPs who may be considering building their careers in gastroenterology and hepatology.
Created in partnership with Guts UK, the Awards have been established with the specific aim of encouraging and rewarding medical students and healthcare professionals with a research interest in gastroenterology and hepatology.
The entries for the 2025 Awards closed on the 17th February 2025. The winners will be announced during the BSG 2025 Annual Meeting in Glasgow on June 24th , follow us on LinkedIn and X for further news.
Highlights from the 2024 Awards event can be viewed below.
Awards History
Founded in 2006 and first set winners announced in 2007, the Dr. Falk/Guts UK Awards, in partnership with the British Society of Gastroenterology, have been proudly rewarding and supporting medical students, junior doctors, specialist nurses, dietitians and pharmacists working in research or service quality improvement by providing prize money, grants and peer acknowledgement to the talented and dedicated winners.
After initially offering the competition to junior doctors and medical students, in 2012, Dr. Falk extended the awards to recognise the specialist nurses who are committed to improving the care and services for their IBD/ gastroenterology or hepatology patients. The winners of each category receive financial support to enable them to continue with their chosen work as well as a chance to network and share their passion with their peers or other experts in the therapy area.
To celebrate 10 years of collaboration Guts UK and Dr. Falk Pharma introduced a new award for Specialist Gastroenterology / Hepatology Registrars during the BSG Annual Meeting in 2017.
In 2023, with the aim to recognise and further support the increasingly important role of pharmacists within the integrated healthcare teams, Dr. Falk Pharma UK and Guts UK have introduced a new pharmacist award. A £1,000 prize is awarded to a pharmacist who has developed a service which offers a quality improvement for patients accessing healthcare.
For inspiration, you can view the individual winning project summaries from previous years.

The award categories
A £1,000 prize
Medical Student Essay Award
A £1,000 prize for the best essay on gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology) research personally undertaken by medical students studying in the UK who were on an intercalated BSc/MRes/MSc/MPH/MD/MBPhD* course during the previous academic year (2023/24)
Four £1,500 prizes
Student Award
Four £1,500 prizes for medical students taking full-time science degrees in the UK (BSc/MRes/MSc/MPH/MD/MBPhD*) focusing on gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology) in the current academic year (2024/25)
Two £2,500 awards
F1/F2 Research Award
Two £2,500 awards for UK-based F1/F2 doctors to facilitate prospective research in an area relevant to gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology)
A £1,000 prize
Nurse Recognition Award
A £1,000 prize for UK-based primary and secondary care nurses working in gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology) for initiatives that have improved patient care. Guts UK and Dr. Falk want to encourage nurses to apply. We would also like to invite colleagues to nominate nurses to this award as well. Colleagues can email research@gutscharity.org.uk with the name of their nominee and a brief explanation of why they want to put their colleague forward. Guts UK will then contact the nominee to encourage the potential applicant.
A £1,000 prize
Dietitian Recognition Award
A £1,000 prize for UK-based dietitians working in gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology) for initiatives that have improved patient care.
Up to £10,000
SPR Trainee Audit / Quality Improvement Award
Up to £10,000 is available for UK-based gastroenterology SpR trainees (who hold a National Training Number) who would like to conduct an audit or quality improvement project in any area of gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology) or nutrition.
Refer to the SpR award’s criteria for more information and to the Guts UK Grants Terms and Conditions and ensure you have raised any pertinent issues with relevant staff. Applicants considering applying for the SpR Audit/Quality Improvement Awards as a network can download tips and advice on how to set up a successful trainee network
A £1,000 prize
Pharmacy Recognition Award
A £1,000 prize for UK-based pharmacists working in gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology) in primary and secondary care who have developed programmes and initiatives that have improved patient care in some capacity.
Find Out More

Guts UK was founded in 1970 as the charity arm of the British Society of Gastroenterology.
Guts UK’s focus and vision is of a world where digestive disorders are better understood, better treated and everyone who lives with a disease of the gut, liver and pancreas gets the support they need.