The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) is open to applicants for the academic year 2025/2026
Continuing in a pilot phase, the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) will support early years educators to undertake approved early learning and childcare qualifications at levels 7 and 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications, while they continue to work within the early learning and care sector with a service that has a Core Funding contract with DCEDIY. The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund aims to help meet the Government objective of achieving a graduate-led workforce in early learning and care services by 2028.
Application Process and Timelines
– From 12 th March, 2025, applicants should email Pobal, at NSLF@pobal.ie to request a link to the NSLF Student Portal in order to create an account and upload employment details and complete the new application process.
– Applicants who applied for NSLF for the academic year 2024/2025 and were unsuccessful, should make a new application for the academic year 2025/2026 through the NSLF Student Portal. Applicants should login to their NSLF account, upload employment details and complete the new application process.
– Applicants will be required to complete a number of pre-requisite tasks prior to completing the application process.
The application process will close on 1st May, 2025.
Continuing Students (existing students who successfully received NSLF funding for Academic Year 2024/2025 and wish to continue to receive funding for NSLF for Academic Year 2025/2026) Pobal will contact continuing students directly in early Summer asking individuals to verify their continuing eligibility for NSLF. Once eligibility is confirmed a new Letter of Conditional Funding will issue to the student for the academic year 2025/2026.
Please download the document below to begin your application process: