Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship

Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT)
CFDA 93.124 Active Cooperative Agreement

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding
$2.2M FY2025
$2.2M
FY24
$2.2M
FY25

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 In Academic Year 2023-2024, grantees of the NAT Program provided direct financial support to 1,307 nurse anesthetist students. Students received clinical training in medically underserved communities (58 percent), rural areas (21 percent), and/or primary care settings (27 percent). In addition, NAT trainees participated in medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (56 percent), and/or substance use treatment (62 percent). In total, 1,307 students graduated from their degree programs and entered the workforce. At the time of graduation, 60 percent of graduates intended to pursue employment or further training in medically underserved communities, 19 percent planned to pursue employment or further training in a primary care setting, and 18 percent planned to pursue employment or further training in a rural area. Of prior year graduates for whom one year follow-up data was available, 60 percent were employed in a medically underserved and 9 percent were employed in a rural community.

Program Objective

The purpose of the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) program is to increase the supply and distribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who are well prepared and well positioned to practice independently and collaboratively within interprofessional teams and to deliver evidence-based, high quality, and safe anesthesia and pain management services. The program aims to expand access to anesthesia services, especially to rural, urban, and tribal underserved communities nationwide. Eligible grant award recipients are accredited institutions that educate registered nurses to become nurse anesthetists; recipient institutions, in turn, disburse funds to students in the form of traineeship support.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • State
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • U.S. Territory Government
  • Not-for-Profit Organization

Eligible applicants include accredited schools of nursing, nursing centers, academic health centers, state or local governments, and other public or private nonprofit entities determined appropriate by the Secretary. Domestic community-based organizations, Tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply, if otherwise eligible.

Individuals and foreign entities are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Applicants must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs at the time of application, and for the duration of the award.

In addition to the 50 states, eligible applicants from the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau may apply.

Beneficiaries

  • Veteran (including dependents)
  • Health Professional

A trainee receiving support from grant funds under this program must be a citizen, non-citizen national of the United States, an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States, or any other “qualified alien” under section 431(b) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193, as amended. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to participate.
To be eligible for NAT traineeship support, the student/trainee must meet all of the following: be a licensed registered nurse (RN), be eligible to work in the United States, be enrolled full-time in an accredited course of study leading to a graduate degree in nurse anesthesia and be eligible to sit for the national certification examination to become a CRNA upon program completion, and maintain the predetermined academic standards of the recipient institution.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

The funds appropriated for the NAT Program are distributed among eligible institutions based on a formula. Notification of award is made in writing (electronic) through a Notice of Award.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 120 to 180 days

Approximately from 120 to 180 days after receipt of applications.

Program details & compliance

Description

The purpose of the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) program is to increase the supply and distribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who are well prepared and well positioned to practice independently and collaboratively within interprofessional teams and to deliver evidence-based, high quality, and safe anesthesia and pain management services. The program aims to expand access to anesthesia services, especially to rural, urban, and tribal underserved communities nationwide. Eligible grant award recipients are accredited institutions that educate registered nurses to become nurse anesthetists; recipient institutions, in turn, disburse funds to students in the form of traineeship support.

Mission Categories

Primary: General Health and Medical

Other categories:
Nursing EducationMental Health

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

NAT Traineeship funds may only be used for traineeship support, with the exception of Indirect Costs at 8 percent of modified total direct costs rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement and are not subject to upward or downward adjustment.

Restrictions

NAT Traineeship funds may only be used for traineeship support, with the exception of Indirect Costs at 8 percent of modified total direct costs rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement and are not subject to upward or downward adjustment.

NAT Traineeship funds may only be used to cover full or partial costs of tuition and fees, cost for books, and other reasonable living expenses (such as stipends).
NAT Traineeship funds may only be used to cover full or partial costs of tuition and fees, cost for books, and other reasonable living expenses (such as stipends).
NAT Traineeship support must not exceed a maximum of $30,000 (with a minimum amount of $1,000) per eligible trainee per year.

Required Documentation

Applicants should review the individual HRSA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued under this assistance listing for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted with an application package. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Determined at Time of Award
Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Formula

Section 811 (a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 296j(a)(2))

Contacts

Onyinye Erondu, MS, RN
(301) 594-4457
Bureau of Health Workforce Division of Nursing and Public Health, Rockville, MD 20857
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-01-05. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:34:43.