Nursing Grants

Types of Nursing Grants
There are many reasons nurses and students pursuing a nursing degree seek nursing grants.  Grants do not have to be repaid and must be used as indicated in the grant proposal and resultant grant agreement.  Purposes of grants vary from education support to research activities.

Many grants are for healthcare-related program development activities. Examples of grant programs for nurses and nursing students follow below.

Federal Grants

The federal government sponsors multiple grant programs in the area of nursing.  These grants are for education, research, and programs.  Grants in nursing have specific applicant eligibility requirements.  Some allow individuals to apply for funds while others restrict application to organizations.  Following is an example of a federal grant program in nursing.

Nurse Managed Health Clinics

Nurses who manage clinics that are affiliated with an accredited nursing program or otherwise qualified healthcare center may be eligible to apply for a grant.  Applicants that deliver primary healthcare services to underserved or vulnerable populations can apply. This is a highly competitive grant process.  Award amounts vary and are not renewable.  For applications and guidelines, nurses can contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at (877) 696-6775.

State Grants

States may also offer grants to nurses and nursing programs.  Nurses and nursing students who receive state grants usually have to use funds to pay for their nursing education.  States determine eligibility and submission requirements for these grants.  Applicants must meet all requirements to be considered.  Following is a state nursing grant program.

Texas Hospital-Based Nursing Education Partnership Grant Program

The purpose of this grant program is to increase nursing school enrollment and the number of nursing school graduates. This is accomplished through collaborations between nursing programs and hospitals. Nursing students may be eligible for assistance by enrolling in a participating nursing school.  To learn more about the program and possible grant benefits, students can contact the Texas Higher Education Board at 1200 East Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752 or by calling (512) 427-6101.

New York Tuition Assistance Program

Nursing students who are residents of New York and are attending accredited nursing programs in the state are eligible to receive grants from this program. Grants are made based on academic scores and income eligibility. Grants must be used for tuition.  Award amounts are $5,000.  Students must be full-time to be considered.  Nursing students can learn more through their school’s office of financial aid.

Educational Institute Grants

Grants offered to nursing students through nursing schools are primarily for research activities.  To learn about available funds, students should contact their school’s nursing department.  Unless the grants are specifically for education, the financial aid office will not have information about them.  Following is an example of a nursing program that provides grants to students.

New Mexico State University

Students enrolled in the College of Health and Social Sciences are eligible to apply for a Pre-Nursing Grant to help pay for their education.  The grants are for freshmen and sophomore students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.  Grants are awarded based on academic scores and financial need.  Award amounts vary.  For applications and guidelines, students can contact the nursing department at (505) 287-6660.

Corporate Grants

Health-related corporations may sponsor grants for nursing education or research. This is particularly likely with international corporations.  Grant programs are typically administered through corporate giving departments or corporate foundations.  The following is an example of a corporation that offers grants for nursing programs.

Baxter

Through its International Foundation, Baxter awards grants for activities related to improving access to and quality of healthcare, including advanced nursing practices.  Grants are approved primarily for programs and services that target underserved communities.  Awards are made based on the quality of program design, implementation methods, and evaluation.  International applications are accepted. Award amounts vary as do deadlines. Interested nursing students or organizations can contact the Foundation at One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield, IL 60015 or by calling (847) 948-2000.

Foundation Grants

Foundations are a main source of grant money.  Nurses and nursing students may be eligible for grants from local, regional or national foundations.  Grant guidelines detail requirements to get funding as well as reporting procedures upon completion of the funded project.  If a particular foundation does not award grants to individuals, nursing students can usually still submit requests if they have an appropriate fiscal sponsor. The following is an example of a foundation that provides grants to nurses and students enrolled in nursing programs.

Danville Regional Foundation

The Foundation awards healthcare grants including those for nursing that improve the health and wellbeing of people who live in communities served by the Danville Regional Medical Center in Virginia.  Grants related to nursing fall under the Foundation’s “Health and Wellness” initiative.  Interested applicants should submit a letter of inquiry briefly outlining their grant request.  Letters should be no longer than two pages and must be mailed to the Foundation at 103 South Main Street, Danville, VA 24541.

Nursing grants are available for a variety of purposes.  They are provided by the federal government, nursing schools, and foundations among other sources.  Grant funding is restricted to the purpose identified in the grant proposal submitted by the nursing applicant.