Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure

The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome

The RCN Foundation is an independent charity and we are not linked to any trade union activity. Our purpose is to support and strengthen nursing and midwifery to improve the health and wellbeing of the public. We do this by:

  • Providing grants to nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers for hardship and education 
  • Providing research and innovations grants to organisations 
  • Our grants are accessible to all nursing and midwifery professionals - you do not have to be a member of the RCN to receive our support.

Meet the nurses we support

We provided a hardship grant to Lily, a single mother and qualified nurse who was made homeless by her landlord. Hear Lily's story, in her own words:

Our grants

The RCN Foundation are here to help.

Nurse smiling

Hardship grants

Hardship grants are one-off payments of up to £500, delivered alongside a holistic signposting service to support you through life’s unexpected challenges

Nurse at desk

Education grants

Apply for a professional development or student grant.

male nurse with pen

Research & practice development grants

We invest in the nursing and midwifery professions and improve patient care.

How you can support us

The nursing and midwifery community needs your support now more than ever. Your generosity will help us care for those who care for us at a time when the nursing and midwifery community need us most.

Resident doing puzzle with HCSW

Make a donation

Donate online and support nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers facing financial hardship

Leave a gift in your will

Leave a gift in your Will

And support nursing and midwifery teams for generations 

fundraisers walking during an event

Fundraise for us

There are endless ways to fundraise and support nursing and midwifery professionals across the UK. However you’d like to fundraise, we'll support you all the way

Recent news and events from the RCN Foundation 

Sign up to the RCN Foundation email newsletter and get all the latest news from events and fundraising to available grants and funding. 

Nurse smiling in corridor

Financial support available for your educational and professional development

RCN Foundation Spring education grants are now open, with funding ranging from £500-£1,600. Applications close at 5pm on 12 May 2025. 


All awardees, Jane, Deepa and Richard

Celebrating excellence in nursing and midwifery

Our annual Impact Awards showcase the best and brightest that nursing and midwifery have to offer. We’ve profiled each of our exceptional award winners – read on to learn more about them

Maternity Assistant, Ffion, walking in corridor

LV= donate £65,000 to fund an array of education grants and events

Their donation will fund events and grants including establishing a quality improvement grant for nursing and midwifery professionals