Hardship grants
Hardship grants are one-off payments of up to £500, delivered alongside a holistic signposting service to support you through life’s unexpected challenges
The RCN Foundation is an independent charity that aims to support and strengthen nursing and midwifery to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation. We work with the Royal College of Nursing and others to deliver our aims, but you do not need to be a member of the RCN to benefit from our support – the RCN Foundation exists for all nursing and midwifery staff.
We offer support by:
- Providing grants to nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers for hardship and education
- Providing research and innovations grants to organisations
Meet the nurses we support
We provided a hardship grant to Lily, a single mother and qualified nurse, who was made homeless by her landlord. Hear Lily's story, in her own words:
Impact
In 2024, we provided 705 grants amounting to £1,363,895. These included 698 grants to individuals for benevolent and education purposes, and 7 to organisations undertaking research and innovation studies. Learn more about our impact here or download our 2024 Impact Report.
Our grants
The RCN Foundation are here to help.
Education grants
Apply for a professional development or student grant.
Research & practice development grants
We invest in the nursing and midwifery professions and improve patient care.
How you can support us
The nursing and midwifery community needs your support now more than ever. Your generosity will help us care for those who care for us at a time when the nursing and midwifery community need us most.
Make a donation
Donate online and support nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers facing financial hardship
Leave a gift in your Will
And support nursing and midwifery teams for generations
Fundraise for us
There are endless ways to fundraise and support nursing and midwifery professionals across the UK. However you’d like to fundraise, we'll support you all the way
Recent news and events from the RCN Foundation
Sign up to the RCN Foundation email newsletter and get all the latest news from events and fundraising to available grants and funding. By joining our mailing list you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Funding available to support RNLDs address health inequality in Wales
A funded study which will support RNLDs to address health inequality and enhance health related quality of life outcomes for people with a learning disability in Wales. Applications close 23 February 2026
MBE for Director of the RCN Foundation!
We’re delighted to announce that our Director, Deepa Korea, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in His Majesty the King’s 2026 New Year Honours
Investing in Care: A Joint Celebration of Innovation and Impact
On 3 December 2025, we celebrated the impact of funded Quality Improvement projects as well as honouring our long-standing partnership with LV=