The Florence Nightingale Foundation runs this 18-month leadership development programme for registered nurses and midwives working at senior level. It combines experiential learning, individual coaching, mentoring, residential modules in London and a continuous improvement project.
The programme is designed to strengthen leadership capability and help participants improve clinical and health outcomes. Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are closed, and the Foundation says the 2027–28 cycle will open in autumn 2026.
Benefits & funding
- Individual coaching, including feedback from psychometric assessments, plus an experienced mentor and ongoing Foundation support.
- A two-day residential leadership module and a three-day residential personal-presence module, both delivered in small groups.
- A continuous improvement project, networking, a bespoke development budget of an unspecified amount, and invitations to Foundation events.
- UK-based places are sponsored and cost the individual applicant nothing, but the employer must contribute £1,500. Participants pay travel and any accommodation not expressly included.
- For the 2026–27 cycle, international applicants had to arrange their own funding or sponsor because no open-access sponsored international places were available.
Eligibility
- Be a registered nurse or midwife with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council, or an equivalent regulator outside the UK.
- Work at NHS Agenda for Change Band 7 or above, or in an equivalent independent-sector, military or international role.
- Have employer commitment; UK-based applicants also need the required £1,500 employer contribution.
- Sponsored places are limited, and applicants must demonstrate substantial potential for personal and professional leadership growth.
- The official guidance states no nationality, residency, age or academic-degree restriction.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Review the cycle page, eligibility requirements, programme dates and funding route.
- 2Secure employer commitment and identify a senior sponsor.
- 3Prepare personal, employment and education details, information about the service and team, and a proposed continuous improvement project.
- 4Complete the official online form when the next cycle opens.
Program timeline
25 September 2025
Applications opened for the 2026–27 cycle.
Application deadline.
3 November 2025 at 09:00
Virtual interviews.
10 December 2025 to mid-February 2026
Interview notification by email.
By the end of January 2026
Virtual individual coaching.
April 2026
Welcome Day in London.
11 May 2026
UK residential modules in London; exact allocated dates varied.
May or June 2026
Scholar Celebration Conference in London; exact date was not published.
October 2027
Autumn 2026
Applications for the 2027–28 cycle are expected to open; no exact date is published.