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RCN Foundation Make a Donation

Financial support available for your educational and professional development

Apply for an RCN Foundation education and career development grant 

RCN Foundation education grants aim to support nursing and midwifery professionals to develop their careers, gain new skills and enhance the care they give to patients. Grants can be used to undertake postgraduate qualifications and professional training. You do not have to be an RCN member to apply. 

Grants available range from £1,000 - £2,500 and you must begin your study between January 2027 and January 2028.  

Applications are welcome from nurses, midwives, nursing associates, maternity assistants, healthcare support workers and students however, each grant has specific criteria you need to meet – please read this carefully before applying. 

The closing date to apply is 5pm on 30 September.

Professional development grants  

  • RCN Foundation Professional Bursary Scheme (PBS): grants of up to £1,600 available for continuous professional development. Open to UK registered nurses, midwives, healthcare support workers, nursing associates and maternity assistants. Thanks to additional funding from Camurus, there is specific funding available for nurses’ undertaking education in addiction, substance misuse and mental health care. We also have dedicated funding from the Fort Foundation to support the ongoing development of nursing staff in North East Lancashire (at either the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital or Burnley General Teaching Hospital) 
  • RCN Foundation Olufunke Adeyeye Education Grant: for registered nurses, midwives, healthcare support workers, maternity support workers and care workers from the Global Majority. Grants of up to £1,600 available to support them as they undertake further training and development  
  • RCN Foundation Welsh Scholarships: two new scholarships available for nurses in Wales (Hettie C Hopkins Geriatric Scholarship: for nurses supporting and working with older people in any sector and Alun Islwyn Nursing Scholarship: for nurses in all sectors). Both offer grants of up to £1,600 for continuous professional development

Pre-reg student grants 

  • RCN Foundation Into Nursing Grant: up to £1,000 available to graduates who have obtained a previous degree in any academic discipline and wish to pursue a nursing degree 
  • RCN Foundation Needlemakers Grant: for graduates who wish to retrain to become a nurse, with up to £1,000 per year, for up to two years (total up to £2,000), with continuation into year 2 dependent on academic progress. Applicants must hold a previous degree and demonstrate passion for nursing as well as healthcare experience. There will be a focus on applicants living or working in areas of high deprivation in London and the home counties to address local health inequalities however, applications from throughout the UK are also welcome 

Quality Improvement 

Have any questions? Take a look at our FAQ page or hear from previous recipients.