Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2025  

The Learner Fund Graduate Bursary of €750 is open to practitioners who are new graduates of a recognised ECEC programme at level 7/8/9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

It is is available to experienced practitioners only – applicants must have been working in a Tusla-registered ELC service prior to beginning their course and must be currently working in a Tusla-registered ELC service at the time of application.

The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be one which qualifies the person to work in the Early Years sector (and is at least level 7 on the NFQ). 

It is announced in mid-August with the closing date for receipt of completed applications by Childcare Committees in late September.

The scheme applies to those Early Years Educators who are entering an NSLF approved ELC level 7 or 8 qualification for the first time, therefore an applicant for NSLF must not hold or be undertaking an Approved Course at level 7 or level 8 at the time of application and funding.

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2025/2026 – Extension of Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) Pilot scheme

This pilot is being extended to a second intake of up to 350 Educators seeking to upskill to Level 7 and Level 8 ELC Qualifications in the academic year 2025/2026.
Applications for the Pilot NSLF will open on 12th March 2025, via Pobal, to early years educators who meet the eligibility criteria, with a view to educators who are selected for the pilot receiving financial support for studies commencing in Autumn 2025.