You’re already a senior leader. What comes next?
18 months to find your executive voice, lead change that lasts, and join the network behind today’s Chief Nursing Officers.
The Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholarship is for senior nurses and midwives ready to lead at board, system and national level. It is fully funded for you, with a £1,500 contribution from your employer.
Where it can take you
Scholarship alumni include the current Chief Nursing Officers for England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Ukraine. Next time, it could be you.
One of the most significant outcomes of my growth on the programme has been the confidence and courage to share my work on an international stage. I presented at a global nursing conference in Singapore as a keynote speaker, sharing my quality improvement project: “Yes You Can”: a solution-focused model for developing inclusive leadership and career progression for nurses and midwives from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. Overall, this programme has been a powerful experience of self-discovery. It has reshaped how I lead, reinforcing the importance of reflection, self-awareness, and leading with purpose, always keeping others at the centre.”
Gifty Markey, FNF Scholar Alumna, Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Mental Health, Learning Disability & Neurodiversity at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust
What your scholarship journey will look like
Knowing yourself as a leader
Advanced psychometric profiling, one-to-one coaching around your goals, and a dedicated mentor to challenge and back you.
Finding your executive voice
Sessions with RADA Business on presence, impact and communication, so you walk into the boardroom, the ministry or the system meeting ready to influence.
Learning alongside the best
Two residentials in London covering systems leadership, AI and digital leadership, political acumen and inclusive leadership, with expert faculty and scholars from around the world.
Making change that lasts
You will design and deliver your own quality improvement project with measurable outcomes for patients/clients and communities and leave a legacy in your organisation.
Moments you will never forget
Taking part in the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey, present at the Scholar Conference, and graduate in London into a lifelong network of Florence Nightingale Scholars.
Is this for you?
This is for you if you are a registered nurse or midwife (NMC registered or international equivalent) working at Band 8d or above, or equivalent in the independent sector, military or internationally and you have the ambition to influence beyond your own organisation. You will need to have an executive (or equivalent role) who will back you.
Places are limited and competitive. We are looking for leaders with real potential to grow.
Making the case to your executive
Your development benefits your whole organisation: stronger teams, better services, improved retention, and a quality improvement project delivered in your own setting. The curriculum is mapped to Stage 4 of the NHS Leadership and Management Framework (Executive and Board-Level Leaders).
"The scholarship has had a significant and lasting impact on my confidence, leadership identity and career trajectory. It gave me the space and support to strengthen my voice as a system leader and to recognise the wider influence I could have in improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)."
Sally Newsome, FNF Scholar Alumna, Deputy Director Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Childrens Continuing Care and Personalisation, Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board
Key dates
Applications open
Applications open
Applications close
Applications close at Midnight (GMT)
Interview invitations
Invitations to attend an interview will be sent
Group interviews
Group interviews will be held virtually
Outcomes
You will be notified of the outcome of your application
Programme starts
The FNF scholarship 2027-2028 begins
As I look back on my time with the Florence Nightingale Foundation’s Global Leadership Programme, I keep returning to one simple realisation: this experience changed me in ways I didn’t expect. It pushed me to think differently, to speak with more clarity, and to lead with a deeper sense of purpose. It reminded me why I chose this profession in the first place and why I continue to fight for better care, better systems, and better opportunities for the people we serve.
Ralph Lauren T. Figueroa, FNF Global Scholar Alumnus, Section Head, Critical Care Units and Specialty Centers, Western Visayas Medical Center, Iloilo City, Philippines
FAQs
Who can apply?
To join the programme starting May 2027, you must:
- be a registered nurse or midwife with the NMC (or equivalent outside the UK)
- be working at NHS Agenda for Change Band 8d or above, or in an equivalent role in the independent sector, military or internationally
- have executive or ministerial support and sign-off, including a £1,500 employer contribution if you’re applying from the UK.
What does it cost?
There is no cost to you. Scholarship places are sponsored. UK applicants need a £1,500 contribution from their employer. We also offer a limited number of fully sponsored places for applicants from outside the UK, with no employer contribution required.
Accommodation and meals during the residentials are included for everyone.
How much time will I need
9 residential days in May 2027 and 7 in October 2028, plus virtual check-ins and co-consulting throughout the 18 months.
What will the application ask?
Alongside your personal, employment and sponsor details, you are required to write short answers (up to 350 words each) about your leadership experience, your approach to inclusive leadership and culture, and your proposed quality improvement project: the problem, who’s involved, and how you will measure impact. Start thinking about your project and talk to your executive sponsor early.
You can save your form and come back to it. Please do not name your employer in your long answers, so we can review every application fairly. You will also be asked to confirm that key answers are in your own words.
What happens at the residentials?
- May 2027: Hackathon, Systems Leadership, Presence & Impact, and the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey
- October 2028: Digital Leadership, Political Acumen, Equity and Diversity, Insights & Discovery, Scholar Conference and Graduation
Between the residentials, you’ll stay connected through regular virtual touchpoints.
What leadership development programmes does FNF offer?
Our Academy offers a leadership development pathway for nurses and midwives at different stages of their careers:
Emerging Strategic Leadership Programme (12 months): for operational and first-line leaders who are ready to influence beyond their immediate team.
Aspiring Executive Leadership Programme (12 months): for experienced senior leaders preparing for director-level roles.
Rising Leaders Programme (9 months): a cohort-based programme for FNF member organisations, nurturing future leaders in nursing and midwifery.
Senior and Global Scholarships (18 months): for senior nurses and midwives ready to lead at board, system, national and international level.
What is the difference between the new leadership programmes and the Scholarships?
The Emerging Strategic Leadership and Aspiring Executive Leadership Programmes are 12-month structured leadership development programmes, commissioned and funded by organisations for their employees.
The Senior and Global Scholarships are 18-month, highly personalised leadership development opportunities for senior nurses and midwives who are ready to lead at board, system and national level.
Scholarships provide scholars with greater choice over aspects of their development and require executive, board-level or ministerial support.
Why are the Scholarships only focused on senior and global leaders?
The scholarship experience is designed to support leaders who have significant organisational influence and are working towards senior executive or Board-level positions.
At this stage of a career, leaders are often able to use the scholarship’s flexibility and range of experiences to address complex organisational and system-wide challenges.
We therefore believe that focusing scholarships at this level will maximise their impact and strengthen the distinctiveness of the Foundation’s flagship scholarship offer.
Who can apply for a Senior or Global Scholarship?
To join the programme starting May 2027, you must be a registered nurse or midwife with the NMC (or equivalent outside the UK), and have executive, board-level or ministerial support and sign-off for your application.
You’ll usually be working at NHS Agenda for Change Band 8d or above, or in an equivalent role in the independent sector, military or internationally.
Can I apply if I am below Band 8d?
Yes, if you hold a systems leadership role and have executive or board-level support for your application.
By a systems leadership role, we mean one that leads across organisations: for example across an ICS/ICB or a region, across a group of private healthcare organisations or, for global applicants, at country or region-wide level.
I was planning to apply for an Emerging or Established Scholarship. What can I do now?
We understand that some people will be disappointed by this change.
Our new Emerging Strategic Leadership and Aspiring Executive Leadership Programmes are available through organisations that commission places for their employees.
We encourage you to speak with your employer about whether they are considering commissioning places on these programmes.
Does completing the Emerging Strategic Leadership Programme or Aspiring Executive Leadership Programme mean I can apply for a Senior Scholarship in the future?
Yes.
The leadership programmes can form an important part of your development journey.
As your leadership responsibilities, organisational influence and career progression develop, you may become eligible to apply for a Senior Scholarship. If you already hold a systems leadership role and have executive or board-level support, you may be eligible to apply now, even if you are below Band 8d.
Scholarship eligibility requirements will apply at the time of application.
Are the Emerging Strategic Leadership and Aspiring Executive Leadership Programmes funded?
These programmes are commissioned and funded by organisations for their employees.
Individual participants do not personally fund their place.
What is the Rising Leaders Programme?
The Rising Leaders Programme is a dedicated 9-month, cohort-based programme for FNF member organisations, designed to nurture and support future leaders in nursing and midwifery.
Places are funded by member organisations for their own staff. If your organisation is an FNF member, speak with your employer about whether they are offering places.
Are the Scholarships funded?
Yes. There is no cost to you. FNF Scholarships are supported through funding from employers, trusts, foundations and other partners, meaning that scholars do not personally fund their scholarship place.
UK applicants need a £1,500 contribution from their employer. This applies to all UK applicants, including where their employer is also a funding partner. A limited number of fully sponsored places are available for applicants from outside the UK, with no employer contribution required.
Accommodation and meals during the London residentials are included. UK participants cover their own travel to and from London.
When do applications open and close?
Applications for the 2027-28 Senior and Global Scholarships opened on 1 October 2026 and close at midnight (GMT) on 15 November 2026.
Interview invitations will be sent at the end of November, virtual group interviews take place from December to February, and outcomes are shared from February to March. The first residential is between 8 and 18 May 2027, depending on your cohort, and the second residential and graduation is from 2 to 8 October 2028.
Will the Emerging Strategic Leadership and Aspiring Executive Leadership Programmes provide funding for individual development activities?
These are structured programmes and do not provide the individual development budget available through the Scholarship offer.
The focus is on the programme curriculum, learning, peer development and applying leadership learning within your organisation.
Why can't I apply for a Scholarship if I am an emerging or established leader?
The Senior Scholarship is designed specifically for nurses and midwives who are working towards senior executive and Board-level leadership and who have Executive sponsorship to undertake the scholarship.
This reflects the nature of the scholarship and the level of organisational and system-wide change it is intended to support.
However, if you hold a systems leadership role and have executive or board-level support, you can apply even if you are below Band 8d.
I am disappointed that the Emerging/Established Scholarship has changed. Does FNF value my leadership?
Yes.
The decision to change the scholarship model is not a reflection of the value or potential of emerging and established leaders.
Quite the opposite: we want to ensure that leaders receive development that is appropriate to their current role, level of influence and career stage.
Our aim is to support you not just to become a better leader, but to progress through your leadership journey and, when the time is right, to take your place among the Foundation’s senior and global scholars.
Will there be other opportunities to engage with FNF?
Yes.
Alongside the Emerging Strategic Leadership and Aspiring Executive Leadership Programmes, the Rising Leaders Programme and Scholarships, FNF continues to provide opportunities through its wider Academy, membership, events, networks and other leadership development activities.
We encourage you to stay connected with FNF to hear about future opportunities.
What is FNF's vision for leadership development?
Our ambition is to support nurses and midwives throughout their leadership journey – from developing confidence and capability, through to influencing organisations and systems and ultimately leading at the highest levels.
Our refreshed portfolio is designed to create a clearer pathway to achieve this.
