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 January 2022.
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 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.
Education & Research Funding
The RCN Foundation offers two types of education grants: professional development and student grants. Depending on your circumstances and proposed course there are six grants to choose from. Details of available grants can be found here.
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.
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.
Clinical nurses can apply for a Barbers’ Company Clinical Nursing Scholarship to help undertake further education, research or a clinical project. Professor Seers will oversee applications this year.
The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) offers a limited number of grants to trained nurses (and nurses in training) with a special interest in the care of elderly people to attend meetings and/or to visit services with an innovative approach.
The grants are available to trained nurses and to nurses still in training irrespective of professional affiliation.
This Burdett Trust programme will make small grants to projects that are nurse-led and focussed on supporting the nursing contribution to healthcare. All projects must be focussed on improving care for patients through nursing and may include multi-professional or team-working interventions. Projects may involve clinical care, environment of care, social care, leadership and/or education.
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”.
The QNI, our sister organisation covering the rest of the UK is passionate about improving nursing care for people being nursed at home and in the community. To help achieve this, they can award an educational grant to applicants undertaking a course that reflects this intention.
(not available to nurses in 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.
Project Funding
This Burdett Trust programme will make small grants to projects that are nurse-led and focussed on supporting the nursing contribution to healthcare. All projects must be focussed on improving care for patients through nursing and may include multi-professional or team-working interventions. Projects may involve clinical care, the environment of care, social care, leadership and/or education.
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
There are a number of funding opportunities available via the British Association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapy (BAOT/COT) to support members’ education, research and CPD activities.
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.
The British Geriatrics Society (BGS), as part of its charitable activities, administers a number of grants, prizes and awards with a view to encouraging high quality research and furthering the development of professionals with an interest in older people’s healthcare.
The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) offers a limited number of grants to trained nurses (and nurses in training) with a special interest in the care of elderly people to attend meetings and/or to visit services with an innovative approach.
The grants are available to trained nurses and to nurses still in training irrespective of professional affiliation.
