Leadership Scholarships for nurses and midwives
Florence Nightingale Foundation’s Leadership Scholarships are a once-in-a-lifetime leadership development opportunity for nurses and midwives, whilst improving clinical and health outcomes.
FNF Scholarships
As a result of our Scholarship programmes, which boasts numerous past and present chief nurses, including the current and previous Chief Nursing Officers for England, we equip exceptional nurses and midwives with:
- The mindset and tools to build their confidence and leadership capability. Participants gain practical tools for influencing change, handling challenging situations, leading improvement initiatives, and managing difficult conversations.
- The skills to develop, deliver and evaluate innovative quality improvement projects, resulting in cost saving for the organisation. Many Scholars go on to publish their findings, leading to a ripple effect of learning and increased exposure for the individual and organsiation.
- The tools and skills to develop ownership and performancewithin their teams
- Professional networks: Participants develop lasting connections with peers and mentors who provide ongoing support and cross-pollination of ideas, helping sustain motivation during challenging periods.
- Career progression support: The Scholarships provide exposure to the experience of senior leaders (including a dedicated mentor) and networking opportunities.
As a result of the Scholarship, I was approached about publishing my project as a CPD article, it goes step by step into what to do, and broadened out the work, showing that the Talent Management Support Network (my QI project) can be used for any group of staff. Being amongst other leaders inspired me to be the better me! It inspired me to go further and higher.
Vinice Thomas
The 18-month Scholarship programme includes:
- Individual coaching including feedback on results of psychometric assessments.
- Experienced mentor allocated.
- Welcome briefing day.
- Leadership development programme (2 days residential) delivered by Hartridge.
- Personal Presence and Impact (3 days) delivered by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA Business).
- Bespoke Development Opportunities.
- Invite to the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey, London.
- High-profile celebration event to celebrate the success of our FNF Scholars.
Clear Results
Findings from our impact data demonstrate that leadership development opportunities drive meaningful change that benefits patients and service users, while delivering strong returns on investment through workforce development and system-wide efficiencies.
Our Scholarships:
- Support intention to stay in the profession, providing immediate cost savings of up to £12,000 per vacancy and broader longer-term impacts on patient safety and service quality.
- Address contemporary health and care challenges affecting your organisation (such as workforce resilience and wellbeing, digital transformation and environmental sustainability)
- Result in cost savings as a result of the Quality Improvement projects
Core Scholarship Partners
Opportunities to Support A Scholar
In today’s challenging times, nurses and midwives, and the health and care system, need support more then ever. Our Scholarships offer a transformative opportunity for nurses and midwives, making a significant positive impact on an exceptional nurse or midwife, on their wider workforce, and ultimately on patient care. Please contact us to arrange a conversation to find out more.
Opportunities to Apply
Our Leadership Scholarships are open to nurses and midwives working at UK Health and Social Care Agenda for Change (or equivalent for independent sector or internationally) 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 perfect.
Our Scholarships begin each year in May and run part-time, for approximately 18 months. Applications for our 2026-2027 Scholarships will open at the end of the summer.
Previous and current funders include
Realise your potential with the Florence Nightingale Foundation
Current FNF Scholarship Programme Participants
If you are currently undertaking an FNF Scholarship you can access your private learning resources and community in the Academy portal.
