What you need to know
DfE Funding Available for Leadership and Specialist NPQs starting Autumn 2026
The DfE have announced continued bursary funding for teachers and leaders to access professional development as part of the Autumn 2026 NPQ cohort.
This is a fantastic opportunity for schools and educators to access high-quality professional development, supporting career progression, strengthening leadership capacity, and driving improvement across the sector.
Eligibility Summary:
- The NPQs for Headship, Senior Leader, Early Years Leadership and the NPQ for SENCOs will be fully funded for teachers and leaders employed in suitable roles in publicly funded schools (including maintained nursery schools) and 16-19 educational institutions in England.
- Scholarships for all other NPQs will continue to be based on disadvantage criteria.
- Those who are taking on the role of lead mentor for an initial teacher training (ITT) provider accredited to deliver ITT from September 2024 (this includes those working in non-school settings or in schools not otherwise eligible under the disadvantage criteria)
Details of eligibility lists based on disadvantage are set out here
RISE scholarships
Schools in the targeted regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme are eligible for scholarship funding for all NPQs. Regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE): school support provides further details on the targeted RISE programme and lists schools that are eligible for targeted RISE intervention.
Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO)
For the Early Headship Coaching Offer, you can get funding to cover the course fees if you’re both:
- in your first 5 years of headship in England in a state-funded school or 16 to 19 organisation, and
currently taking, or have completed, the headship NPQ
The DfE Registration Service is now open. You can start your DfE registration here. Please note - Everyone applying for an NPQ (regardless of funding pathway) will be required to have a One Login account. We recommend people set this up now to avoid any delays in the registration process. You can do that by visiting Create your GOV.UK One Login or sign in - GOV.UK One Login
Applications to join the Autumn 2026 cohort, either with a funded/non funded place are now open. Funded places are limited, and we would encourage you to start your application early by following this link.
Full guidance on scholarship funding for the Autumn 2026 NPQ cohort can be found here.