Most of the nurses are members in different nursing unions like RCN, UNISON etc in UK.
They have a membership fee and then rolling subscription fee every month. Do you know
that RCN and UNISON give away money to its members in form of grants and welfare funds.
Yes, you heard it right. RCN provides this money as grants for nurses, nursing students,
midwives, HCSWs for education, career development, research or financial needs. UNISON
mainly provides money through its welfare charity as well. As you all know RCN and UNISON
are the key players in nursing unions, let’s see what are the different grants or funds are
available from these unions and how can we apply it in this article.
Grants and Funds from RCN and UNISON
Grants from Royal College of Nursing
RCN provides grants during two times of the year which is in spring and autumn. This is the
highlight – You do not need to be a member of the RCN for applying to these grants. Lets
see the major grants available from RCN as of May 2026,
– RCN Foundation Professional Bursary Scheme (PBS) – Up to 1600£ of educational
grants
– RCN Foundation Adult Social Care Nursing Fund – Up to 1600£ to support
professional development
– RCN Foundation into Nursing Grant – for graduates to become a nurse – Up to
1000£/year for those who have a obtained a previous degree in any academic
discipline. For application, you need to have some work experience in healthcare and
live in the UK or Channel Islands and have firm intent to work here.
– RCN Foundation Kershaw Grant – For HCSWs, Care Workers and maternity
assistants, grants up to 500£ to help them go further in their career.
– RCN Foundation Kirby Grant – For student nurses working/living in southeast of
England, grants up to 1000£ for support with living costs while studying.
– RCN Foundation Leathersellers Foundation Children and Young People’s Mental
Health Education Grant – This one is not for RMNs but for RNs who work with
children and young people with poor mental health. Up to 1600£ available.
– RCN Foundation LV Grant – for healthcare support workers – Education grants up to
£1,600 for courses such as phlebotomy, venepuncture and cannulation, ECG
recording and health and social care courses.
– RCN Foundation Mair Scholarship – for occupational health nurses in Scotland
– RCN Foundation Marcia Mackie and Rae Bequest Grant – for nurses working in
Northern Ireland
– RCN Foundation Monica Baly Grant – History of nursing grants of up to £1,000
available to undertake a research project, course, or activity relating to the history of
nursing and midwifery.
– RCN Foundation Next Generation Grant – for graduates to become a nurse or
midwife
– RCN Foundation Olufunke Adeyeye Education Grant – for nurses, midwives, nursing
associates, healthcare support workers or care workers from the Global Majority –
Grants up to 1600£ to support continued professional development.
– RCN Hardships Grant – Hardship grants are one-off payments of up to £500,
delivered alongside a holistic signposting service to support nurse, midwife or CSW.
– The RCN Foundation Domestic Abuse Fund – Hardship grants to survivors of domestic
abuse.
Now we will investigate financial/welfare benefits from UNISON,
Financial/Welfare Benefits from UNISON
Financial benefits from UNISON comes via its charity called UNISON Welfare, motto is
‘’There for You’’
Unison Welfare provides the following,
– School Uniform Grant – Up to 75£ voucher/school child
– Winter Essentials Grant – Up to 200£ towards food shopping
– Cost of new shoes
– Financial Assistance
– Wellbeing Breaks
– Debt Advise
– Benefit calculator
Unlike RCN all these benefits from UNISON is exclusive for its members.
Sources
RCN Grants – Click Here
UNISON Benefits – Click Here
Hope this article gives you an idea about what are the grants and funds available from RCN
and UNISON for its members and non-members.
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