Leadership Scholarships 2024-2025
Applications for most of our Leadership Scholarships 2024-25 are now closed. However, thanks to the Northern Ireland Department of Health, we have very limited Scholarship places available for nurses or midwives working in Northern Ireland.
Please apply by 7 February 2024 if you want to submit a Scholarship application for the Northern Ireland places. Interviews will be held virtually in February, date tbc.
FNF has a renowned reputation across the UK for our bespoke leadership scholarship programmes. Our programmes are designed to build confidence, authority and influence in our scholars, enabling them to contribute to policy and practice at a local and national level to improve patient care and health outcomes.
The Leadership Scholarships are open to nurses and midwives working at NHS Agenda for Change (or equivalent) band 7 and above. Whether you are looking for the next step, investigating the opportunity to become a future director, aspiring to engage more with the executive board, have dreams of engaging in a systems leadership role or have reached a senior position and are looking to stretch and develop yourself beyond your previous expectations, this opportunity is for you.
Programme Structure
FNF Leadership Scholarships are created to enable scholars to explore and discover their own leadership style and develop the essential skills to be a courageous leader.
The course is delivered part-time over 18 months. The core programme for all leadership scholarships includes:
- Individual scholar assessment.
- Experienced mentor allocated.
- Welcome day to meet fellow Scholars and begin to build a learning community.
- Compassionate leadership development programme delivered by the King’s Fund (2 days residential).
- Personal Presence and Impact delivered by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (3 days).
- Your own Quality Improvement project to promote clinical excellence.
- Bespoke development opportunities chosen by the Scholar to meet your priorities.
- Invite to the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey, London in 2025.
- High profile celebration event to celebrate the success of our FNF Scholars.
Specialist Partnerships
As a charity working to improve health and care, The Kings Fund provide compassionate leadership development programmes. Through virtual or face to face events or residentials, learners share their experiences and engage in immersive learning activities to support growth and development. The tailored programmes explore strategic leadership, focus on self awareness, personal development of influence, negotiation and impact.
Since 1904, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art has been a global leader in its field, with alumni becoming globally celebrated names on stage and screen. RADA Business harnesses this excellence and translates it to the world of work. Usually cited as one of the most impactful parts of our programmes, this course explores how to use the body, breath and voice – core elements of effective communication – to maximise your impact, hold your space in challenging situations, strengthen your influence, and lead with confidence.
Sponsors
We are honoured to have our scholarships funded by a range of sponsors. We also offer a number of specific scholarships that have been sponsored in dedication to a person or on behalf of an organisation.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for a Leadership Scholarship you must:
- Be a Registered Nurse or Midwife holding a valid registration.
- Be a Band 7 or above (or equivalent).
- Have completed Senior Sponsor letter ensuring support to all scholarship activities.
- Provide confirmation of 10% employer contribution (£1,000).
“A huge benefit of the scholarship programme has been the fabulous mentors I have worked with and the other scholars on the course, many now friends for life. Through my project I’m incredibly proud of the changes I’ve driven in my Trust to support our amazing internationally educated nurses and midwives.” Bev Summerhayes, Chief Nurse Senior Fellow, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, FNF Scholar 22/23
“Doing an FNF Scholarship was life-changing – it may sound twee, but it really was. It gave me the foundation, a springboard almost for developing my ideas, and it allowed me the financial support enabling me to go to these places to find out more but also the professional support as I had a mentor who I could buddy up with and discuss things which was so important and valuable.” Alison Bunce, Director of Care at Ardgowan Hospice, FNF Scholar, RCN Nurse of the Year 2022
Key Dates
2 August 2023
Applications open.
21 October 2023
Most applications close at 23:59.
November 2023
Invites to interviews will be sent.
End November 2023 - Early February 2024
Interviews held.
March 2024
Interviewees notified of the outcome.
April 2024
Scholarships begin. Joining instructions and detailed dates sent.
8 May 2024
Scholar Welcome Day (London)
Summer 2024
Leadership Development programme, The King’s Fund (2 days residential)
Autumn 2024
Personal Presence and Impact, RADA Business (3 days, London)
October 2025
Graduation Day/Celebration Event
Application Process
For advice on writing a successful scholarship application, please watch the below video.
Information for applying online:
You are required to upload the following:
- Personal, employment and education information.
- A copy of your NMC statement of entry document (can be located online).
- Senior Sponsor Nominator Form supporting attendance and time to complete scholarship activities and authorisation to fund 10% employer contribution (£1,000) – Found on this website prior to accessing the application form. Please download and complete the Senior Sponsor Nominator Form here.
- Sign the terms and conditions
Important information:
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Applications without confirmation of 10% employer contribution and finance information will not be accepted.
- Applications without Senior Nominator Sponsor support will not be accepted.
