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RCN Foundation education grants

Learn more about our education grants and the funding we have available 

RCN Foundation education grants open twice a year, in Spring and Autumn.

Each round will offer different types of grants, with different eligibility criteria and you do not need to be a member of the RCN to be eligible. For more information, take a look at our FAQs.

Sign up to the RCN Foundation email newsletter to keep up to date on when our grants open. 

Education grants 

RCN Foundation Into Nursing Grant  

  • Open to applications from graduates in any discipline with either a 1st or 2:1 degree looking to study nursing 
  • Grants of up to £1,000 available
  • To be eligible you need to have experience of healthcare and live in the UK or Channel Islands and have firm intent to work here. 

RCN Foundation Kershaw Grant  

  • Grants up to £500 available to encourage and support healthcare support workers in furthering their career
  • Please note, apprenticeships are not eligible for this education grant. 

RCN Foundation Kidby Student Grant 

  • Open to applications from student nurses and living/working in the South East region
  • Grants of up to £1,000 available to support with living costs while studying
  • You must be an RCN member to apply for this grant. 

RCN Foundation Leathersellers’ Foundation Grant  

  • A dedicated fund for non-mental health nurses who work with children and young people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • Grants of up to £1,600 grant available to undertake a postgraduate module in child and adolescent mental health, learning skills that can then be applied to patient care within your own clinical setting with the aim to develop your confidence, skill and understanding in this area of nursing.  

RCN Foundation LV= Grant 

  • This fund is open to applicants from across the UK and any individual working as a healthcare support worker can apply
  • Grants of up to £1,600 are available and will cover the cost of a wide range of educational courses, such as phlebotomy, venepuncture and cannulation, and advanced life support 
  • Please note, nursing apprentices and nursing associates are not eligible to apply for this grant. 

RCN Foundation Mair Scholarship 

  • This bursary is available for UK registered nurses currently engaged in the occupational health nursing in Scotland
  • Grants of up to £500 available for continuous professional development
  • To be eligible, you must be a UK Registered nurse in occupational health, working and residing in Scotland. 

RCN Foundation Marcia Mackie and Rae Bequest Grant

  • For nurses and midwives registered in the UK and working in Northern Ireland in any sector seeking to undertake a course or programme that will improve patient care and develop practice
  • Grants of up to £1,600 (Rae) and £1,000 (Marcia Mackie) available. 

RCN Foundation Monica Baly Grant  

  • Grants of up to £1,000 available to undertake a research project, course, or activity relating to the history of nursing and midwifery
  • Applications should highlight the contribution that the research can make to improve nursing or to increase the knowledge of key areas of nursing
  • For nurses, midwives and nursing and midwifery students. 

RCN Foundation Needlemakers Grant 

  • Open to applications from nurses and midwives who use and can demonstrate the use of needles in their work 
  • To apply for this grant individuals must use needles in their role, however the proposed activity does not have to directly relate to the use of needles but should improve the individuals' overall practice and patient care
  • Grants of up to £1,600 available. 

RCN Foundation Next Generation Grant  

  • Open to applications from graduates in any discipline wishing to become a nurse or midwife 
  • Open to applications from direct entry nursing associate students undertaking a foundation degree
  • You need to be able to evidence previous health care experience in the last five years
  • Grants of up to £1,000 available to support with living costs while studying. 

RCN Foundation Olufunke Adeyeye Education Grant 

  • A dedicated fund open to applications from nurses, midwives, healthcare support workers and maternity support workers from the Global Majority
  • Successful applicants will receive a one-off grant of £1,600 to support them as they undertake further training and development
  • Please note, pre-registration nursing students are not eligible for this grant. 

RCN Foundation Professional Bursary Scheme (PBS) 

  • Grants of up to £1,600 for continuous professional development in: Adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disability nursing and mental health nursing
  • Open to applications from registered nurses, midwives, HCSW, nursing associate, and maternity assistants
  • Please note, student nurses and nurse apprentices are not eligible to apply.