Our annual Spring education and career development grants are now open
Apply for an RCN Foundation education and career development grant.
Our 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.
There are a total of six education grants open for applications. You do not have to be an RCN member to apply but each grant has specific criteria you need to meet. Please read this carefully before applying.
The education grants available range from £500- £1,600, and applications are welcome from nurses, midwives, nursing associates, maternity assistants, healthcare support workers and nursing and midwifery students who will begin their study between 1 September 2024 and 1 September 2025. The closing date for applications is 31 May 2024.
What grants can I apply for?
- 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
- RCN Foundation Leathersellers' Grant: grants of up to £1,600 available for UK non-mental health registered nurses and midwives working with children and young people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health and emotional wellbeing
- RCN Foundation Kershaw Grant: up to £500 available for healthcare support workers based in the UK wishing to further their career
- RCN Foundation Marcia Mackie and Rae Bequest: grants of up to £1,600 (Rae Bequest) and £1,000 (Marcia Mackie) for nurses and midwives registered in the UK and working in Northern Ireland wishing to develop their practice and improve patient care
- RCN Foundation Scholarship MSc Advanced Practice – Learning Disability: 5 funded scholarships available for Registered Nurses Learning Disability (RNLDs) working in social care settings or across social care and the NHS in the UK
- RCN Foundation Monica Baly Grant: grants of up to £1,000 for nurses, midwives, and nursing/midwifery students to undertake a research project, course, or activity relating to the history of nursing and midwifery.
Deepa Korea, RCN Foundation Director said: “The RCN Foundation is proud to continue to invest in the future of nursing and midwifery by offering grants and awards to professionals who wish to undertake learning and development activities. These grants enable them not only to develop their careers, but to improve the care they give to their patients. Last year alone, we supported the professional development and training of 110 individuals through education grants that totalled £163,000.
We are also thrilled to be launching our first MSc in Advanced Practice, Learning Disability Scholarship which will help provide funding for Registered Nurses Learning Disability (RNLDs) working in social care settings or across social care and the NHS. Learning Disability Nursing is a key priority of our work and will help us achieve our ambitions as set out in our 2024-2028 strategic plan. Whether you are a nurse, midwife, nursing associate, maternity assistant, or healthcare support worker, I strongly encourage you to take the time to see what we have available and apply for an RCN Foundation education grant.”
How to apply
To find out more information about what grants are available and to apply, visit here.
Applications are open from 28 March until 5pm on 31 May 2024.
Have any questions? Take a look at our FAQ page or hear from previous recipients.