FPC Bursary Fund

The FPC Bursary Fund supports those who are considering training, or are in training, at a WPF Network Training Centre on a course that leads to FPC Professional Membership and who need financial assistance.

The aim is not only to help individuals, but to strengthen the profession, by supporting trainees from groups under-represented in the therapeutic workforce (see: https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/media/bj2b25ce/2024-ukcp-member-report.pdf  ) and by enabling those from all backgrounds to complete their training and contribute to the future of psychoanalytically-informed therapy.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a bursary, you must:

• Be a Trainee Member of FPC, or commit to becoming a Trainee member on commencing training.
• Be starting training, or be in training, on an approved WPF Network Training Centre that leads to professional membership of FPC
• Ensure that your training organisation provides a statement of support
• Ensure that a professional reference is provided. This could be from a supervisor, academic tutor, clinical professional, mentor, previous employer or anyone who knows you in a professional capacity
• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to the psychoanalytically-informed therapy profession
• Not be in receipt of a different bursary for the same course in the same academic year

As part of our aim to improve equality and diversity practice within the profession, we especially welcome applications from trainees who meet the criteria above and who:

• Are in a need of financial support due to their personal circumstances, or
• Come from groups under-represented in the therapeutic workforce

Those who have completed all parts of their training are not eligible to apply.

Types of Bursary

There are two types of bursary:

• Funding for the duration of the training (usually three to four years) to support those who would not otherwise be able to afford to commence training (Next application window: June-July 2026 for training commencing in autumn 2026).
  
• Emergency, one-off, funding for existing trainees who would not be able to complete their training due to an unexpected change of circumstances (Applications can be made at any time).
  

Bursary Amount

For both types of bursary, the guideline amount is £1,000 per year. This is subject to change at the discretion of the FPC Bursary Panel.

The bursary award is a contribution towards training fees and is paid directly to the training organisation.

How to apply

For details of how to apply for a bursary, please contact admin@thefpc.org.uk

FPC Bursary (Emergency Funding) Application Guidelines.pdf

FPC Bursary (Emergency Funding) Application Form.docx

Award Process

Applications for a bursary are considered by the FPC Bursary Panel. Any decision of the panel is final and there is no appeal process.

The Panel commits to processing applications in a timely manner. Applications will be acknowledged on receipt and applicants will usually be informed of the outcome within one month.

FPC Bursary Panel Procedure.pdf

Change of Circumstances

If the recipient of a bursary is unable to complete their training for any reason or experience any other significant change of circumstances (for example, illness, injury, maternity, etc), they must inform FPC promptly by email to admin@thefpc.org.uk . The FPC Bursary Panel will assess the impact on the bursary on a case-by-case basis. It is possible that in certain circumstances the bursary, either in full or in part, may have to be repaid.