Postgraduate study bursaries

Bursaries to support NHS knowledge and library service staff in England to undertake postgraduate study on CILIP accredited courses.

The NHS Knowledge for Healthcare Learning Academy have offered 30 bursaries since 2022 to existing NHS knowledge and library services staff to complete postgraduate qualifications in information, knowledge and library studies. This is to address the current challenge of recruiting into qualified posts (Agenda for Change Band 5 and above) in this specialist sector.  The bursaries are designed for: 

• library assistants and paraprofessionals (at Bands 2-4) 

• those in Band 5 roles who do not currently hold a CILIP recognised knowledge and library service qualification 

• those in substantive roles within NHS knowledge and library services in England.  

The bursaries cover the costs of, or contribute to CILIP-accredited postgraduate study, in the United Kingdom.  Priority is given to services where there have been recent vacancies in Band 5+ roles or from areas of the country where it is often difficult to recruit. 

Applications for masters-level study is preferred rather than the PGCert or PG Diploma as this improves future employment prospects. 

Applicants will be required to select a dissertation on a health topic and share their learning with the national knowledge and library services team, NHS England and network colleagues.