RCN Foundation Learning Disability Scholarship

The RCN Foundation is an independent charity whose purpose is to support and strengthen nursing, midwifery, and social care to improve the health and wellbeing of the public. They do this by providing grants for hardship, education and research.

The Learning Disability Scholarship is the first MSc advanced practice grant from the RCN Foundation. This education grant helps to provide funding for Registered Nurses Learning Disability (RNLDs) working in social care settings, or across social care and the NHS, to undertake the full MSc in Advanced Practice.

Scholarship details

• Five scholarships are available (one for each of the devolved nations and two for England)
• The RCN Foundation are currently only recruiting for Northern Ireland
• The scholarship will fund MSc Advanced Practice Learning Disability Programmes which are accredited by the Centre for Advancing Practice (NHSE) or have RCN Advanced Practice Accreditation
• The Foundation also provide a buddy from the Learning Disability Nursing field to give informal support throughout your studies

Eligibility criteria

• You must be an RNLD with a minimum of three year’s clinical experience
• Must be working at an advanced level of practice in an appropriate social care setting or a role which is across social care and the NHS
• For Scotland, eligible applicants are RNLDs who work in social care and in health and social care partnerships
• If the non-medical prescribing module is part of your pathway you will need to demonstrate that there is a clinical need for you to be a prescriber in your role through your line manager reference
• The RCN Foundation needs to have signed confirmation from your Practice Assessor for your NMP in line with the NMS Standards 2023
• They’ll also need a signed confirmation from your Co-ordinating Education Supervisor demonstrating you have suitable support in clinical practice

Application

• Download and complete the application and equal opportunities forms
• Ensure that you have answered each question in full (incomplete or late applications will be ineligible)
• Send completed application and equal opportunities forms to grants@rcnfoundation.org.uk

If you need further information, take a look at the frequently asked questions on the RCN Foundation Learning Disability Scholarship page.