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
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.
Education grants
Apply for a professional development or student grant.
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.
Make a donation
Donate online and support nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers facing financial hardship
Leave a gift in your Will
And support nursing and midwifery teams for generations
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.
Seven mountains, one nurse: raising money to support UK nurses and midwives
Rowena has challenged herself to take on the Seven Summits, and her next goal is to conquer Mount Everest! Read on to find out how you can support
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.
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