Where do I apply?
You will need to complete the application form here, after reading these FAQs.
How are applications being decided?
All applications will be considered by a panel of NW Board members, who are RCN members, with successful applications informed by Monday 30 March 2026. If you have not heard from us by Friday 17th April, you have not been successful.
What should I include in my supporting statement?
The decision around funded is weighted on the quality of your statement. Please spend time to include information about why you want to attend congress 2026, the benefits of you attending, how the funding will support you to attend, any barriers you face to attending and what you are most looking forward to at Congress 2026.
This must be in your own words.
What can the funding be used for?
You can use the funding towards accommodation, travel and meals. There are limitations in line with our expenses policy, for example you can claim up to £130 per night for accommodation and evening meals costs are capped at £25 per day. We will not pay for any alcohol purchases. However, you will receive full details of the expenses policy if you are successful.
When will I receive the funding?
Funding is provided in retrospect. This means that even if you are successful, you can only claim for your expenses after the event, upon production of a receipt.
Who is responsible for booking my time at Congress 2026?
If you are successful in receiving funding, this is to assist you in attending. You are responsible for booking your own travel and accommodation. Meals are not provided and you will be expected to make your own arrangements.
You can then collect receipts and claim back your costs, up to £200, after the event. Full details will be provided to successful applicants.
You must also book a ticket for Congress. The funding does not mean you have a guaranteed booking. We urge you to book your free congress ticket now at www.rcn.org.uk/congress
How quickly will I be paid back?
Once you have submitted your receipts after the event, and there are no queries, you will be reimbursed within a few weeks. You will have 3 months to submit your claims, after the event.
When can I start booking accommodation?
Successful candidates will be informed by email from 30th March. If you have not heard from us by 17th April, you have not been successful.
It is advised that you do not book any non-cancellable travel /accommodation until you hear if you are successful or not, if you are reliant on this funding to attend.
It is however advised that you book a free Congress place now at: www.rcn.org.uk/congress as places can go very quickly.
Can I share a room with another successful candidate and submit a joint receipt?
The RCN is committed to ensuring that the health, safety and wellbeing of all attending RCN events and is keen to ensure that RCN events are as inclusive and equitable as possible. For this reason, the RCN’s policy position is that rooms funded/part funded or provided by the RCN at RCN events must not be shared under any circumstances, save for family members e.g. children attending the event with their parent due to breastfeeding and/or those with carer responsibilities for the member due to a disability and guests at an award winner event.
However, we recognise there may be some circumstances in which sharing may be permitted, which you must make us aware of if you are claiming for accommodation costs. Circumstances in which room sharing may be permitted are limited to:
- Where the person sharing the room funded or provided by the RCN (fully or part funded) is the spouse, partner, carer (for example childcare, disability assistance is covered below) or close family member(s) of the RCN member allocated to the room. In these circumstances, the person to whom the room is allocated MUST bear any additional costs such as taxi fares or room upgrades or hotel expenses and pay these directly themselves. The RCN is not responsible for any additional costs. For example, where a single occupancy room is changed to double occupancy or additional breakfast charges are incurred.
- Where the person sharing the room that will be funded or provided by the RCN (fully or part funded) has a disability and requires disability assistance from another person/carer. In these circumstances, please contact us for clarification if you are successful in your application.
What if the funding doesn’t cover the full cost of my attendance at Congress?
The funding is intended to support you to attend and might not cover the full cost. We advise that if Congress is a financial burden on you, that you limit the time you spend at Congress, within your budget.
How much can I claim?
We are offering funding of up to £200 per person for the whole time you attend Congress. You cannot claim for expenses beyond this amount. For members on the Isle of Man, there is a further discretionary fund available to support your higher travel costs. Please try to be more specific in your application regarding your plan for attending. If you are successful, we will contact you to discuss this further.
If I’m successful, do I need to attend for the whole week?
No. We advise you to look at the agenda published at www.rcn.org.uk/congress and determine when you would want to attend, especially if your budget is limited, and plan your attendance accordingly.
When to applications close?
The deadline to apply is midnight on Sunday 15 March 2026. It is advised that you apply early as the application period might close before the deadline if we receive a large number of applications.
