Scholarships, bursaries and educational awards for members

Here you will find brief details on the funding schemes that the RCN administers to assist with the cost of courses, projects, research, study tours, conference presentations, etc. The schemes are listed alphabetically. There are 15 schemes in this list. In addition, specialist funding schemes are listed in Specialty/forum schemes. 

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.

Alun Islwyn Giles memorial nursing scholarship

For RCN members in Wales, for a project or course of study to promote the advancement of the art and science of nursing:

  • closing date: annually 31 March
  • how to apply: contact RCN Welsh Board, Ty Maeth, King George V Drive, Cardiff CF4 4XZ. Telephone: 029 2075 1373 or email: lee.anderson@rcn.org.uk. 

Barbers company clinical nursing scholarship

To enable nurses in clinical nursing to undertake further education, research or a clinical project. The scholarship of up to £7,500 is offered for the fees or subsistence of a nurse normally undertaking a taught masters' programme relevant to nursing or research, in an academic department in the United Kingdom or at an approved academic department of nursing overseas.

There is no application form. Applicants should submit a 500 word outline on the course / research / project and its intended application together with their CV to:

The Barbers' Company Scholarship
RCN Research Institute
School of Health and Social Studies
University of Warwick
Coventry CV4 7AL.

  • the closing date for receipt of applications is 28 February every year 
  • for more information contact PA to the Director RCN RI, telephone: +44 (0)24 761 50618, email: p.d.kent@warwick.ac.uk.

Ethicon Nurse and Practitioner Educational Trust Fund

For members of RCN, AfPP or IPS to further their professional development and enhance the standard of expertise in their field. Funding can be used to support a wide range of activities from postgraduate education to conference presentations.

  • closing date: 2 April 2010. The closing date for 2011 will be confirmed as soon as possible
  • how to apply: application forms with full details will be available eight to 10 weeks before the closing date, and can then be downloaded from this website or requested from Lynne at Fitwise. Email: Lynne@fitwise.co.uk or telephone: 01506 811077. 

Hettie C Hopkins care of the elderly nursing scholarship

Open to nurses in Wales who hold statutory qualifications in nursing and wish to pursue a project associated with the care of the elderly.

  • closing date: 31 March every year
  • how to apply: contact RCN Welsh Board, Ty Maeth, King George V Drive East, Cardiff CF4 4XZ. Telephone: 029 2075 1373 or email: lee.anderson@rcn.org.uk.

HSA Charitable Trust health care assistant awards

For health care assistants (HCAs) who are working towards an NVQ or SVQ at level 2, 3 or 4. 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 'individuals employed by the NHS who assist 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 4 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 send a stamped addressed envelope to HCA awards, c/o Moira Lambert, RCN, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN.

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 2011

Scholarships offering up to £1,000 per annum for graduates with a non-nursing degree who wish to commence nurse training in 2011. Graduates domiciled outside the UK are not eligible for these awards. The scholarships are available annually.

  • closing date: 1 December 2010
  • how to apply: an application form with full details will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date or can be requested by emailing scholarships@rcn.org.uk quoting reference 001-343.

Mary Seacole Leadership and Development Awards

Jointly funded by the Department of Health and NHS Employers and open to nurses, midwives and health visitors in England, the Mary Seacole Leadership Awards are worth up to £12,500 and the Mary Seacole Development Awards are worth up to £6,250 each. Full details of each award are given on the application forms. In addition, workshops are available during April for potential applicants.

Monica Baly Bursary

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

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 grants

The RCN grants scheme is no longer available.  

RCN scholarships

The RCN scholarship scheme is no longer available.  

Rea Bequest Fund

For RCN members working in Northern Ireland undertaking further education. Not available for higher education awards (other than conversion courses through a university).

  • how to apply: Contact RCN, Northern Ireland Board, 17 Windsor Avenue, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT9 6EE. Telephone: 028 9066 8236.

Student Activist Awards

Annual awards for recent RCN Student Activists, sponsored by a grant from Professor Dame Betty Kershaw and her family, to acknowledge the value of the work undertaken by student activists and to support their continuing professional development. Awards can be used to fund course modules, attendance at an accredited conference or a professional visit. Activists should apply within three years of gaining their nursing qualification.

  • closing date: the closing date for 2010 will be announced shortly
  • how to apply: application forms with full details will be available to download eight to 10 weeks prior to the closing date.   

TB nurses travel and research awards sponsored by the Department of Health (England)

Awards up to £10,000 each for RCN members currently working in the field of TB in the UK to help improve the prevention, control, and management of TB in line with the Chief Medical Officer's action plan. Applicants will be expected to identify areas of proven good practice in other countries and demonstrate how this can be transferred to the UK.

  • closing date: applications can be made at any time
  • how to apply: an application form with full details can be requested by emailing scholarships@rcn.org.uk quoting reference TB nurse awards or by downloading the TB Award form (Word 99KB).