Nursing Workforce Development (NWD)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to develop and strengthen the nursing workforce across the United States. Eligible applicants typically include accredited schools of nursing, nursing education programs, healthcare facilities, professional nursing associations, and workforce development organizations. The program supports activities that expand nursing capacity, improve nurse education quality, address workforce shortages, and prepare nurses for underserved populations and rural areas. Geographic scope is national, though programs may prioritize areas with documented nursing shortages. Activities funded commonly include curriculum development, faculty training, simulation equipment, student scholarship/loan repayment programs, and initiatives to expand enrollment in nursing programs at all levels (ADN, BSN, graduate degrees).
Key dates
- Apr 30, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 22, 2026 Application deadline in 21 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
This grant is for organizations seeking to develop and strengthen the nursing workforce across the United States. Eligible applicants typically include accredited schools of nursing, nursing education programs, healthcare facilities, professional nursing associations, and workforce development organizations. The program supports activities that expand nursing capacity, improve nurse education quality, address workforce shortages, and prepare nurses for underserved populations and rural areas. Geographic scope is national, though programs may prioritize areas with documented nursing shortages. Activities funded commonly include curriculum development, faculty training, simulation equipment, student scholarship/loan repayment programs, and initiatives to expand enrollment in nursing programs at all levels (ADN, BSN, graduate degrees).
Program description
The purpose of the Nursing Workforce Development (NWD) program is to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Hospital
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations seeking to develop and strengthen the nursing workforce across the United States. Eligible applicants typically include accredited schools of nursing, nursing education programs, healthcare facilities, professional nursing associations, and workforce development organizations. The program supports activities that expand nursing capacity, improve nurse education quality, address workforce shortages, and prepare nurses for underserved populations and rural areas. Geographic scope is national, though programs may prioritize areas with documented nursing shortages. Activities funded commonly include curriculum development, faculty training, simulation equipment, student scholarship/loan repayment programs, and initiatives to expand enrollment in nursing programs at all levels (ADN, BSN, graduate degrees).
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement
- Project narrative (typically 15-25 pages describing goals, methods, timeline, and evaluation)
- Budget and budget narrative (detailed justification for all costs)
- Organizational capacity and qualifications statement
- Letters of support from partner institutions, employers, and stakeholders
- Curriculum vitae or résumés of key personnel
- Evaluation plan with measurable objectives
- Institutional assurances and certifications
- Evidence of need (workforce data, surveys, labor market analysis)
Program contact
- 👤 Jasmine Price
- 📧 BHW-NWD@hrsa.gov
- 📞 301.443.7151
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.178 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$3,210,610
-
$3,207,396
-
$3,207,281
-
$3,155,646
-
$3,119,818
-
$2,929,216
-
$2,853,863
-
$2,723,334
-
$2,656,602
-
$2,655,621
Top States by Funding
- CA 5 awards $10.7M
- NY 5 awards $9.0M
- IL 3 awards $6.6M
- OH 4 awards $6.1M
- MI 3 awards $6.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.178). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $21,974,332 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for NWD grants?
Accredited schools of nursing, nursing education programs, hospitals, healthcare systems, workforce development organizations, professional nursing associations, and other entities with capacity to carry out nursing workforce development activities. Some programs may restrict eligibility to schools that are part of colleges or universities.
What types of activities are supported?
Common funding priorities include nursing education curriculum development, faculty development and training, student scholarships or loan repayment, expansion of nursing programs, simulation and clinical training equipment, and initiatives targeting underserved or rural populations.
What is the typical funding range?
HRSA nursing workforce grants typically range from $100,000 to several hundred thousand dollars annually, though amounts vary by specific program component and can support multi-year awards.
How competitive are these grants?
Very competitive. Applications should demonstrate clear evidence of nursing workforce need, institutional capacity, sustainability planning, and measurable outcomes aligned with national nursing shortage priorities.
What is the application deadline?
The program typically opens for applications on April 30, 2026. Specific deadline dates and submission requirements should be confirmed through Grants.gov when the RFP is released.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate a clear connection between your proposed activities and documented nursing workforce shortages in your region or target population; cite workforce data and labor market analyses.
- Include strong letters of support from healthcare facilities, employers, and educational partners who will work with your program and potentially hire graduates.
- Develop a realistic sustainability plan showing how the program will continue after federal funding ends, including revenue sources and institutional commitment.
- Focus evaluation plans on measurable outcomes such as number of nurses trained, program completion rates, employment rates, and impact on workforce capacity in underserved areas.
- Align your proposal with current HRSA strategic priorities, which often emphasize rural nursing, primary care, behavioral health, and diversity in the nursing workforce.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often fail to provide specific, data-driven evidence of the nursing workforce gap they aim to address, making their case for need unconvincing. Many proposals lack clear sustainability plans or show insufficient institutional commitment to continue activities after federal funding concludes. Weak evaluation frameworks that don't measure meaningful outcomes or track employment impact are also frequent reasons for rejection.
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