On Thursday 24 July, DfE published details of the NPQ scholarship funding for the November 2025 cohort.

It was also confirmed that from November 2025, NPQs will now move to a single annual cohort model. 

This means there is only one opportunity to begin an NPQ in the 2025/26 academic year.  

Funded places are limited. Therefore, we would encourage those with an interest in applying to have a conversation with their school as soon as possible.

The NPQ for Headship (NPQH) and NPQ for SENCOs continue to be fully funded for all teachers and leaders employed in publicly funded schools (including maintained nursery schools) and 16-19 educational institutions in England.

Funding for these courses is also available to:

• schools eligible for targeted regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) intervention
• hospital schools
• young offender institutions
• local authority virtual school headteachers, staff in a defined deputy headteacher role and staff in direct teaching roles
• other local authority staff in direct teaching roles – for example, local authority supply or peripatetic teachers

For all other NPQs funding will be available for teachers and leaders working in eligible schools and 16 to 19 settings serving the most disadvantaged communities.

For the Early Years Leadership NPQ (NPQEYL), highly disadvantaged early years settings are also eligible for scholarship funding.

For the NPQ in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD), scholarship funding is available if you:

• work in a school or setting that appears on one of the disadvantage eligibility lists
• 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)

For the first time, schools eligible for targeted Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) intervention will also be included in the eligibility criteria. A list of RISE-supported schools is available here.

A full list of those schools and settings within scope for scholarship funding is published on GOV.UK

Early Headship Coaching Offer

For the Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO), 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
• currently doing, or have completed, the NPQ for Headship (NPQH)

Returning teachers

Qualified primary or secondary teachers returning to teach in a state school in England may be eligible to access NPQs to refresh subject knowledge and teaching practice.

Prospective returners should speak with their return to teaching adviser for guidance.

If you are unsure of your school’s/ setting's scholarship funding eligibility, please contact: npqs@hisptsh.org 

NPQ course eligibility   

You should check the course eligibility criteria before you register. You may meet the scholarship funding criteria but not the course eligibility criteria.  

Funding restrictions   

You can only receive scholarship funding for each NPQ once.

If you receive scholarship funding but then withdraw from or fail a course, you cannot get scholarship funding for the same NPQ again.

Being eligible for an NPQ scholarship does not guarantee that:

• the course is suitable for you
• a funded course place will be available

NPQ providers determine suitability through their application processes.

The total amount of scholarship funding is limited, so some eligible teachers and leaders may not secure a funded place. Check with your provider before you register to see if a funded place is available.

NPQ providers manage applications for the courses they deliver and may prioritise applications according to the number of funded places they have available. For example, priority will be given to applications for the NPQ for SENCOs to those needing to take the NPQ as a mandatory qualification for their role as a SENCO.

What if my school doesn’t qualify for funding? 

NPQs are still open to all schools and settings. Where scholarship funding is not available, schools and individuals can choose to self-fund.

Legacy NPQs   

If you received scholarship funding for a legacy NPQ before November 2021 and withdrew from the programme, you’re still eligible for scholarship funding for the current NPQs.