QNIS no longer offers individual education grants. There are a number of other organisations which may be able to help nurses with funding; please follow the links below for further details. If you have any further questions, the QNIS staff would be happy to help.
Some of these organisations provide funding for specific areas, some provide more general grants. Please have a look through the list below to find the support that is most relevant.
This list was last updated in February 2024.
Hardship Support
The Cavell Nurses’ Trust is the charity supporting UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, when they’re suffering a personal or financial crisis often due to illness, disability, domestic abuse and the impact of the coronavirus.
The Nurses Memorial for King Edward VII help those in need by way of gifts for heating, support payments, grants for equipment and single payments when support is needed. Educational bursaries are also available.
The Educational Bursary Fund for courses starting in 24/25 academic year is open between 1st February and 15th June 2024.
The Benevolent Fund for Nurses in Scotland help any member of the nursing profession who worked or trained in Scotland and is experiencing financial difficulties due to their inability to continue working. They can help by giving a quarterly grant, by giving a single grant, by enabling the purchase of an item of furnishing or equipment.
The RCN Foundation Benevolent Service (formerly the Lamplight Support Service) can help with support, advice and information about benefits and can also assist with grants for nurses who are in need after accessing all benefits. From 4th January 2022 nurses and midwives who have been registered with the NMC, as well as Health Care Support Workers, Nurse Associates and Nursing Apprentices with three years of experience in these roles, will be able to apply for a grant online using a simple form.
Note: You don’t have to be a member of the Royal College of Nursing to qualify for a grant.
The Junius S. Morgan Benevolent Fund provides hardship grants for UK registered and retired nurses, midwives who have practiced a minimum of 5 years post registration and nurse associates who have been in practice for over two years post registration. The fund provides one off grants of around £500 for support with expenses such as rent/mortgage, Council tax/utility bills, essential decorating, and medical equipment.
Education & Research Funding
These are available throughout the year. The RCN scholarships, bursaries and grants fund a wide variety of learning, development and research opportunities, providing the support individuals need to make a difference to quality patient care.
Clinical nurses can apply for a Barbers’ Company Clinical Nursing Scholarship to help undertake further education, research or a clinical project.
Established in 1901 under a Trust Deed signed by Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland aims to provide “funds for improving and extending the opportunities for scientific study and research in the Universities of Scotland”.
Scholarships & Fellowships
Registered nurses or midwives can apply for a Florence Nightingale Foundation Scholarship to help expand understanding of the nursing profession to the benefit of patient care.
Mid-career professionals, academic researchers, clinicians, hospital or insurance managers, government policymakers and journalist from the UK and seven other countries can apply for a Harkness Fellowship. Fellows spend up to 12 months in the United States, working with leading US experts to study health care delivery reforms and critical issues on the health policy agenda in both the US and their home countries. Each fellowship will provide up to $119,000 in support.
Travel Funding
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (WCMT) funds British citizens, resident in the UK, to travel overseas to study areas of topical and personal interest, to gain knowledge and bring back best practice for the benefit of others, their profession and community, in the UK.
Area Specific Education Funding
The British Dietetics Association General and Education Trust Fund (BDA GET) Trust Fund exists to advance education and other charitable purposes related to the science of dietetics.
