Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention – Transition to Practice Program (NEPQR-TPP)
🏛 Health Resources and Services Administration (HHS-HRSA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for nursing education and workforce development programs that support the transition of newly licensed registered nurses and nursing graduates into clinical practice. Eligible applicants include accredited schools of nursing, academic medical centers, nursing practice facilities, and consortia of these organizations. The program supports activities such as mentorship programs, residency initiatives, faculty development for clinical teaching, and curriculum improvements that enhance nurse retention and practice quality. Funding is available to organizations operating in the United States and its territories that demonstrate capacity to develop and implement evidence-based transition-to-practice models. Preference is typically given to programs that address nursing shortages in underserved areas and promote educational innovation in nursing workforce development.
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Key dates
- Jun 15, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 17, 2026 Application deadline today
- Aug 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The Nurse Education, Pracitce, Quality and Retention – Transition to Practice Program (NEPQR-TPP) aims to increase the nursing workforce and address the nursing shortage in rural and medically underserved communities, by supporting innovative educational and clinical training opportunities.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative detailing the transition-to-practice program model, goals, and evaluation plan
- Budget narrative and detailed budget forms (SF-424A or equivalent)
- Organizational capacity documentation (institutional accreditation, leadership qualifications)
- Letters of commitment and support from partner organizations (schools, healthcare facilities)
- Evidence of accreditation and past program performance, if applicable
- Evaluation and outcome measurement plan with specific retention and quality metrics
- Sustainability plan demonstrating how the program will continue beyond grant funding period
Program contact
- 👤 Michelle Osborne
- 📧 NEPQRTPP@hrsa.gov
- 📞 3015943803
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.359 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$9,418,049
-
$3,982,485
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$3,982,485
-
$3,982,485
-
$3,981,559
-
$3,971,796
-
$3,968,457
-
$3,951,700
-
$3,951,640
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$3,951,625
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $30.5M
- IL 8 awards $20.8M
- MA 3 awards $16.3M
- GA 6 awards $15.3M
- NC 5 awards $15.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.359). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $55,557,716 | |
| 2025 | $81,904,401 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Accredited schools of nursing, academic medical centers, nursing practice facilities, and partnerships between educational and practice organizations are typically eligible. Schools must be accredited by recognized nursing accreditation bodies.
What types of activities does this grant fund?
Funding supports transition-to-practice programs including residency models, mentorship initiatives, faculty development for clinical instruction, curriculum improvements, and strategies to support nurse retention and clinical practice quality.
Are there restrictions on how funds can be used?
Funds must be used for activities directly related to nursing education quality and transition to clinical practice. Typical restrictions apply to indirect costs, equipment purchases, and other costs common to federal grants.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a moderately to highly competitive federal program. Successful applications typically demonstrate evidence-based approaches, strong institutional commitment, and clear metrics for measuring program outcomes and nurse retention.
What is the typical funding range?
Federal nursing workforce grants typically range from $100,000 to $500,000+ annually, though exact amounts vary by program year and available appropriations. Consult the specific funding announcement for current year amounts.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate a specific nursing workforce problem in your region or institution and explain how your transition-to-practice model directly addresses it with evidence-based strategies.
- Emphasize partnerships between academic and practice settings, as collaborations between schools and healthcare employers strengthen applications and sustainability.
- Include robust retention metrics and outcome measures, such as job placement rates, license pass rates, and long-term employment retention in your target setting.
- Demonstrate commitment from your institution through letters of support, released time for faculty, and institutional funding or in-kind contributions.
- Align your program with current nursing workforce priorities such as addressing shortages in rural or underserved areas, supporting specific nursing specialties, or improving diversity in the nursing workforce.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack clear, measurable outcomes specific to nurse retention and practice quality improvement. Weak institutional commitment—such as insufficient faculty support, limited practice partnerships, or unclear sustainability plans after grant funding ends—frequently results in rejection. Additionally, applicants sometimes submit generic program descriptions rather than demonstrating how their transition-to-practice model is tailored to address specific workforce gaps and is grounded in evidence-based practices.
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