RCN Foundation bursaries

The RCN Foundation was established in April 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. 

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.

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:  Future opportunities will be announced as soon as available.   
  • 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). 

Mair scholarship

Funding for occupational health nurses in Scotland for courses, projects, and 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.

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: the closing date for 2013 will be announced as soon as possible.
  • How to apply: For an application form with full details please download the Monica Baly bursary form (Word 209KB) or 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 mid-2013

Bursaries of up to £5,000 each for learning and development activities commencing after 31 July 2013.    

Applications are welcome from those who wish to focus on primary care nursing, long-term or chronic conditions, such as obesity, mental health, paediatrics, older people and dementia.

  • Open to nurses and midwives currently registered in the UK, and health care assistants in the UK, who will be implementing their learning and development in the UK. 
  • Closing date: 23 May 2013.   
  • How to apply:  Please download the scheme information (Word 184KB) for full details of eligibility, the application form (Word 100KB) and the application guidance (Word 46KB).  

RCN Foundation Worshipful Company of Needlemakers Educational Bursaries

An 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 2013 has now passed.  The next closing date will be announced as soon as possible.   
  • How to apply:  an application form with full details will be available to download 10 weeks prior to the closing date. 

Rae 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: the closing date for 2013 has now passed.  The next closing date will be announced as soon as possible. 
  • How to apply:  Contact Siobhan McNally on email siobhan.mcnally@rcn.org.uk

Wessex RCN Fund for practice nurse advancement

Open to practice nurses working in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to support individuals in learning and development activities that enhance patient care and promote health.

  • Closing date: the closing date for 2013 will be announced as soon as possible.   
  • For full details and an application form please download the Wessex RCN Fund form (Word 187KB).