Grants of up to £1,000 are available for research projects, courses, or activities related to the history of nursing and midwifery, for the duration of up to one year.
About Monica Baly
The Monica Baly Fund was established through a gift from Dr Monica Baly’s will. Monica Baly entered nursing in the 1930s but always had a passion for history.
On retirement, Dr Baly combined these two interests to study the history of nursing. At the age of 70, she completed a PhD in Nursing and Social Change. Dr Baly's ongoing passion was reflected in her role as the first Chair of the History of Nursing Society.
Dr Baly worked with the RCN Foundation to establish the Monica Baly Fund, specifically to remove barriers, most notably lack of funds for registered nurses and midwives who might otherwise not be able to undertake history of nursing activities.
Eligibility criteria
- Registered nurses and midwives
- Nursing and midwifery students
- You do not need to be an RCN member to apply, we welcome applications from non-RCN members.
Applications should highlight the contribution that the research can make to improve nursing or to increase the knowledge of key areas of nursing.
Applications should demonstrate the use of robust historical research methods.
How to apply
To begin your application, download the application form and the equal opportunities form. Please submit both forms by emailing them to grants@rcnfoundation.org.uk no later than Friday 31 May 2024.
Monica Baly founded the RCN History of Nursing Society and wanted this award to support individual nurses with a passion for the history of nursing, including those who are new to the field. Please showcase your individual development and CPD within this application.
The focus of the award is on personal development as a nursing historian and the promotion of scholarship in nursing history.
Applications up to £1,000 is available for a history of nursing related project/course/activity.
Applications can focus on the history of any aspect of nursing and midwifery and we will particularly welcome applications looking into the following areas:
- Gaps in historical research, for example, global majority nurses/midwives, nurses/midwives with disabilities
- Areas of practice where the history is not as well documented, for example: prison nursing, school nursing and learning disability nursing.
Applications should highlight the contribution that the research can make to improve nursing or to increase the knowledge of key areas of nursing.
Applications must be from:
- Registered nurses and midwives
- Nursing and midwifery students.
You do not need to be an RCN member to apply.
If the activity forms part of a larger research project, please focus you application on the portion that this bursary will enable. A little context is helpful, so please include a summary description of the wider project, but this application should focus on what outcomes and development the specific person applying for the bursary will achieve from this funding.
Buying books:
- Applications for book purchases are discouraged. We would advise applicants to approach their local or university library for books – interlibrary loans can cover books the library does not hold
- Members of the RCN can use their online and physical libraries (including books by post) and can ask for support in getting hold of specific texts
- Non-RCN members can use the HQ Library in London by appointment to view historical texts and to access history of nursing books on site.
Oral History Training:
- RCN members can ask for free oral history training through the RCN History of Nursing Forum in collaboration with the RCN Archives.
History of Nursing Associations:
- The UK Association of History of Nursing is open to anyone with an active interest in history of nursing, and also lists useful events on their website. It is a small group run by volunteers that host an annual colloquium
- The RCN History of Nursing Forum is open to all RCN members. Members of the forum can ask for advice from the committee by emailing, and they will help where possible. To change your membership preferences, log in to MyRCN.
Free Resources
- This free library guide is a good place to start if you are new to History of Nursing
- The RCN Library has a number of resources that can help you with your journey, including online exhibitions and recorded events
- The History of Nursing Forum’s guidehelps researchers with family history, nurses lives and local history. You can read other blogs here.
Get Inspired
You can read more about the project here:
