RCN Foundation bursaries

The RCN Foundation was established in early 2010 as an independent charity supporting nursing to improve the health and wellbeing of the public. Here you will find brief details of the bursaries offered by the Foundation which fund a wide variety of learning, development and research opportunities. The schemes are listed alphabetically. There are 11 schemes in this list. 

We regret we are unable to deal with individual enquiries about those schemes where a closing date has passed. However, we will advertise again when these re-open both on this website and in RCN Bulletin or Nursing Standard.

Ethicon Nurse and Practitioner Educational Trust Fund

For nurses and midwives currently registered in the UK who will be implementing their learning and development in the UK. Funding can be used to support a wide range of activities from postgraduate education to conference presentations. 

  • closing date: annually in March.  
  • how to apply: for an application form with full details please contact Shona Wilson by email shona@fitwise.co.uk or telephone 01506 811077, or download from here eight to ten weeks prior to the closing date 

HCA/AP Bursary - The Kershaw Family Bursary

Bursaries of up to £500 for health care assistants and assistant practitioners to support the development of projects that will have a direct impact on patient care. As well as projects that enhance the quality of life for an individual patient or group of people, this could also include attending a course or a conference. To be eligible health care assistants and assistant practitioners will need to have been in RCN membership for six months' prior to the closing date.

  • Closing date: annually in November.   
  • How to apply: full details and an application form will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date.    

HSA Charitable Trust health care assistant awards

For health care assistants (HCAs) who have a vocational qualification in health and care. Awards of up to £250 are available for funding courses or study day fees,  or awarding body registration fees. For the purpose of this award an HCA is taken to mean 'an individual employed by the NHS who assists nurses in their practice'.

Cleopatra Phiri is a senior therapeutic carer and a member of the RCN. She says: "Thanks to help with funding from the RCN I was able to study for an NVQ level four in health and social care. This has helped me to contribute positively to patient care and to the work of the team."

  • closing date: you can apply any time during the year, however, please ensure you apply well ahead of your proposed study/activity, as it can take up to eight weeks to process an application. There is a limit to the amount of funding available and not all applications will be successful.
  • how to apply: please email scholarships@rcn.org.uk for an application form quoting HCA awards or download the Health Care Assistant Awards form (Word 99KB). 

The Kershaw Educational Bursary for recently qualified nurses

Bursaries for recently qualified nurses who as students were actively involved with the work of the RCN.  Sponsored by a grant from Professor Dame Betty Kershaw and her family, the funding can be used to fund course modules, attendance at an accredited conference, a contribution to degree fees or a professional visit. To be eligible applicants will need to be in full RCN membership; be within three years of gaining their nursing qualification as at the closing date; and have been actively involved as a student for example with an RCN board, RCN branch, or served as a student information officer or on the RCN Students Committee.  

  • closing date: annually in November.  
  • how to apply: an information and application pack will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date or you can request a pack when available from scholarships@rcn.org.uk by quoting RQ bursary.   

Mair scholarship

Funding for occupational health nurses in Scotland for projects, courses, study tours, research into occupational health nursing.

Margaret Parkinson scholarship awards for pre-registration graduates

Scholarships offering up to £2,000 per annum for graduates with a non-nursing degree who wish to commence nurse training. Graduates domiciled outside the UK are not eligible for these awards. The scholarships are available annually.

  • closing date: The closing date for 2012 entrants has now passed. The closing date for 2013 entrants will be confirmed as soon as possible.
  • how to apply: an application form with full details will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date.

Monica Baly bursary

Financial assistance to undertake activities related to nursing history. These include undertaking courses, projects, research, and attending either a nursing history conference or study day to present a paper.  

  • Closing date: annually in August. The date for 2012 will be confirmed as soon as possible.
  • How to apply: an application form with full details will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date; or to be placed on the mailing list please email scholarships@rcn.org.uk quoting Monica Baly Bursary. 

North West practice nurses education fund

Open to practice nurses in the North West region. Applications considered twice a year in May and September. 

RCN Foundation Professional bursary scheme 2011/2012

A new professional bursary scheme for 2011/2012 to provide bursaries of up to £5,000 each for learning and development activities that enhance care practice in the following areas:

  • primary care nurse development
  • the care of older people
  • dementia patients
  • people with long term/chronic conditions with a particular focus on obesity and diabetes

Open to all nurses and midwives currently registered in the UK and health practitioners who will be implementing their learning and development in the UK. 

  • Closing date: The closing date for the 2011/2012 scheme has now passed.  Future availability will be confirmed as soon as possible.
  • How to apply:  an application form with full details will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date.  

RCN Foundation Worshipful Company of Needlemakers Educational Bursaries

A new annual bursary scheme offering awards of up to £1,000 to assist with funding learning and development activities that enhance patient care in one or more of the following areas:

  • acute and emergency care
  • orthopaedic and trauma care
  • practice and surgical nursing
  • public health including travel health
  • palliative care and pain.

Open to all nurses and midwives currently registered in the UK who will be implementing their learning and development in the UK. 

  • Closing date: the closing date for 2012 has now pased.  The next closing date will be confirmed as soon as possible. 
  • How to apply:  an application form with full details will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date. 

Rea Bequest Training Fund/Marcia Mackie Fund

For registered nurses working in Northern Ireland undertaking further education, personal professional development activity, or research.  Applicants may apply for any amount between £400 and £2500.

  • Closing date: 16 January 2012. Future availability will be confirmed as soon as possible.
  • How to apply:  Contact Siobhan McNally on email siobhan.mcnally@rcn.org.uk