RCN Foundation education grants open twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, and you do not need to be a member of the RCN to apply.
Each round will offer different types of grants, with different eligibility criteria. For more information, take a look at our FAQs.
The Spring round will cover courses starting between September of that year to September the following year.
The Autumn round will cover courses starting between January of that next year to January the following year.
Sign up to the RCN Foundation email newsletter to keep up to date on when our grants open.
Professional development grants
RCN Foundation Professional Bursary Scheme (PBS)
- Education grants of up to £1,600 for nurses, midwives, nursing associates, healthcare support workers, care workers and maternity assistants
- Please note, student nurses, student midwives and nursing associate students are not eligible to apply
RCN Foundation Adult Social Care Nursing Fund
- Funding to support the professional development of registered nurses, care support workers and care assistants working in adult social care settings across the UK
- Grants of up to £1,600 to support education and training needs
RCN Foundation Kershaw Grant - for healthcare support workers, care workers and maternity assistants
- Education grants up to £500 available to encourage and support healthcare support workers, care workers and maternity assistants in furthering their career
- Please note, degree apprenticeship students or nursing associate students are not eligible for this grant
RCN Foundation Mair Scholarship - for occupational health nurses in Scotland
- Education grants of up to £500 are available for occupational health nurses in Scotland
- To be eligible, you must be a UK registered nurse in occupational health, working in occupational health and residing in Scotland
RCN Foundation Marcia Mackie and Rae Bequest Grant - for nurses working in Northern Ireland
- Education grants for registered nurses working in Northern Ireland seeking to undertake a course 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
- History of nursing 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 student nurses or midwives
RCN Foundation Olufunke Adeyeye Education Grant – for nurses, midwives, nursing associates, healthcare support workers or care workers from the Global Majority/Ethnic Minority
- Education grants for nurses, midwives, nursing associates, healthcare support workers or care workers from the Global Majority/Ethnic Minority
- Grants of up to £1,600 to support their continued professional development
- Please note, student nurses, student midwives and nursing associate students are not eligible for this grant
RCN Foundation Welsh Scholarships
- Two 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 Next Generation Grant - for graduates to become a nurse or midwife
- Open to applications from graduates in any discipline wishing to become a nurse or midwife
- Open to direct entry nursing associate students undertaking a foundation degree (not those on an apprenticeship)
- To be eligible, you need to have some work experience in healthcare and live in the UK or Channel Islands and have firm intent to work here
- Grants of up to £1,000 available to support with living costs while studying
RCN Foundation Needlemakers Grant - for graduates living in London or the adjacent counties to become a nurse
- A grant for graduates who wish to retrain to become a nurse
- The grant is for £1,000 for each year left of their programme
RCN Foundation Into Nursing Grant - for graduates to become a nurse
- Open to applications from those who have a obtained a previous degree in any academic discipline. We will ask for a copy of your undergraduate degree certificate as part of the application process
- Grants of up to £1,000 available
- To be eligible, you need to have some work experience in healthcare and live in the UK or Channel Islands and have firm intent to work here
RCN Foundation Kidby Student Grant - for student nurses living/working in the South East of England
- 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