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If you’re thinking about upskilling to a BA (Ord) or BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education, the cost of education can sometimes feel like a barrier.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) is designed to help remove that obstacle by providing financial support (up to 90% of course fees) to eligible learners who want to develop new skills and advance their knowledge to progress in the early years sector.
But before you apply, an important question to consider is: are you actually eligible for this funding? The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund has specific criteria around factors such as your employment status, where you work, how long you have been working and your existing qualifications.
Understanding these requirements early can save time and help you determine whether this funding could support your learning journey.
In this guide, we’ll break down who the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund is for, the key eligibility requirements, and what you need to know before applying so you can decide if it’s the right opportunity for you.
Who Is Eligible for NSLF 2026/2027?
Those wishing to make an application for NSLF in 2026 must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be working with children in a Tusla-registered Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School Age Childcare (SAC) service.
- The service in which the applicant is working in, must have a current signed Core Funding contract with DCDE.
- Applicants must have worked within an ELC or SAC service for the six months prior to their application.
- Applicants must have a current application/offer for 2026/2027 entry to a Level 7/8 Degree course approved by the Qualification Advisory Board (QAB) that is eligible for NSLF.
- Be a new entrant to an Approved Course for the academic year commencing 2026/2027 (Autumn 2026).
For clarity purposes, at time of application an applicant must not hold (or be already undertaking) an Approved Course at level 7 or level 8 in Early Learning and Care.
The eligibility criteria point highlighted in orange above is new for the 2026/2027 academic year. Portobello Institute will support you to get this letter of confirmation of your application as promptly as possible once you have completed the necessary application steps.
How are Students Selected for NSLF 2025/2026?
Where the demand for funding is greater than the available budget, the selection of successful applicants is based on the following criteria as set out in the NSLF rules:
- Priority is given to services with no graduates currently employed.
- Services supporting the most disadvantaged children (Equal Start Index) are prioritised.
- Priority is given to applicants in lead educator or manager roles.
- If the above criteria do not determine allocation, a random selection process is applied.
What is the NSLF Application Process and Timeline?
From mid-March 2026, it is expected that applicants wishing to avail of the fund can 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 2025/2026 and were unsuccessful, should make a new application for the academic year 2026/2027 through the NSLF Student Portal.
These 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.
Applicants who have previously applied to Portobello Institute should follow the same pattern, logging into your existing account with Portobello Institute to reapply. If you need support with this process we are here to help. Contact us by filling in the form on this page.
What Does the NSLF Cover?
The NSLF can make up to a 90% contribution to course fees for participating students.
Funding will be paid each year to an amount of 80% of the total cost of course fees (after discounting other governmental assistance such as Free Fees, SUSI etc..) to a maximum cap of €3,200 per academic year.
This funding will be paid directly to the educational intuition on behalf of successful applicants.
The remaining 10% (of the overall 90% contribution) will be refunded to the applicants after completion of the course and contingent on the successful applicants remaining working in the sector for 6 months after completing.
Example: Portobello Institute Fees
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund fees at Portobello Institute are calculated as follows:
- Cost of course fees per academic year: €3,600
- Nurture Fund Grant at 80% of fee: €2,880
- Cost to student per academic year: €720
- Further 10% you can claim back 6 months after graduating and remaining working in the sector: €360 per academic year
Continuing Students
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 contacts continuing students directly 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 following academic year.
How Do You Apply for NSLF? Step by Step Guide:
Your application to Portobello Institute and your application for NSLF are two separate processes.
Step 1: Your application to Portobello Institute and your application for NSLF are two separate processes.
Step 2: Apply for your chosen course: BA (Ord) Early Childhood Care and Education or BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care and Education.
Step 3: You'll hear from our team with more information and support. You will be asked to complete your application and pay a deposit to hold your place with us while your NSLF application processes.
Step 4: Once the previous steps have been successfully completed, Portobello Institute will issue you with confirmation of your application. You will submit this confirmation as part of your NSLF application.
Step 5: You will be asked to submit evidence of your level 6 qualification and some other eligibility checks will be reviewed.
Step 6: Upon approval for entry onto Portobello Institute's course you will be registered on the degree pending NSLF funding approval and full deposit payment completion. If you are unsuccessful with your application to Portobello Institute or NSLF we can arrange a deposit refund or discuss payment options with you.
Important Note: Your application to study at Portobello Institute and your NSLF application with Pobal are two different things. It is expected that from mid-March 2026, applicants wishing to avail of the fund will be able to 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 NSLF application process.
You can start your application with Portobello Institute at any time.
Why Apply for the NSLF?
The early years sector in Ireland is increasingly graduate-led. Gaining your degree not only supports your professional development but also strengthens the quality of care and education within your service.
The NSLF makes this progression significantly more accessible by reducing the financial barrier to study.
At Portobello Institute, we support students throughout the entire process from application to graduation with flexible study options designed for those balancing work, family and further education.
Register Your Interest
If you are considering starting your degree in October 2026 and applying for NSLF funding, complete the form below and our course advisors will guide you through the next steps.
If you have any questions, you can contact:
Limin Bai
limin.bai@portobelloinstitute.com
01 233 8490
You can also book a call here.
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