FNF Leadership Scholarships

What you get

You join an 18-month leadership development programme for experienced nurses and midwives, run by the UK-based Florence Nightingale Foundation. You get one-to-one coaching with feedback on psychometric assessments (personality and aptitude tests), and an experienced mentor to guide you throughout. You also attend two residential courses in London: a two-day leadership course by Hart Ridge Consulting and a three-day "Personal Presence and Impact" course by RADA Business, the training arm of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. On top of that you run a quality-improvement project at work, get a personal budget to pick further training of your choice, and are invited to the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey and a celebration conference at the end. You finish with a CPD certificate (continuing professional development), not academic credit.

For UK applicants the place itself is free, paid by partner organisations. Your employer contributes about EUR 1,750 (GBP 1,500). International applicants currently have no sponsored places and must arrange their own funding or a sponsor. Everyone pays their own travel and any extra accommodation. There is no monthly cash grant.

Who can apply

• Profession: You are a registered nurse or midwife. In the UK that means an NMC registration; outside the UK, the equivalent professional registration.
• Seniority: You work at NHS Agenda for Change Band 7 or above, or an equivalent senior role in the independent sector, the military or an international setting. This is not for students or newly qualified staff.
• Employer backing: A senior person at your workplace supports your application. For UK applicants, your employer must agree to pay the contribution of about EUR 1,750 (GBP 1,500).
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply, in the UK or abroad. International applicants must fund their own place.
• Age: No age limit.

How to apply

You apply through an online form on the foundation's website. It asks for your registration number, your sponsor's details and a description of the quality-improvement project you propose. If you are shortlisted, you are invited to a virtual interview. Applications for 2026-27 have closed; the next round (2027-28) opens in autumn 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This is aimed at a narrow group: senior nurses and midwives at Band 7 or above with an employer willing to back them. The applicant pool is therefore smaller than for open scholarships. If you clearly meet the seniority level and can present a strong quality-improvement project and genuine sponsor support, your prospects are solid. International applicants face the extra hurdle of arranging their own funding, since no sponsored places are available to them.