FY27 Nursing School Grant

How well is the proposal supported by evidence of current research and best practices? To what extent do the Institutional Performance Measures and Goals, i.e., number of degrees conferred, first-year retention rate, job placement rate, and NCLEX-RN pass rate align with the goals of the grant proposal?  The Institutional Performance Measures and Goals are in the application form submitted by each applicant, starting on page 2 of the application. To what degree does the proposal articulate how the nursing program will be expanded or improved by achieving the goals of the grant proposal? 

To what extent does the budget support the narrative in addressing one or more of these areas?  

• Expand or enhance student services offered for student success in Nursing programs.
• Implementation of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) exam.
• Training, a pilot program, and/or adoption of competency-based education and assessment methods for nursing education.
• Strategies to improve clinical partnerships and/or students’ clinical experiences.
• Special recruitment strategies focused on nursing students.

• Hire additional qualified nursing faculty and staff.

• Develop or expand instructional programs (e.g., online, weekend, evening).

• Improve or increase space for nursing classrooms or laboratories.
• Purchase equipment and other program-related instructional materials. 

How well does the proposed budget align with the implementation of the comprehensive proposal?  

To what degree does the grant proposal address ways to improve equity gaps in nursing enrollment, course completion, graduation, or licensure by underrepresented student populations?  To what extent do the proposed strategies address the equity gaps shown in the institutional data? (e.g., students who are African American, Latino, low-income, first-generation college, from rural communities, working adults, or students with disabilities). 

Are the expected outcomes to be assessed clearly identified and within the time frame of the grant? Does the assessment and evaluation plan include assessment strategies that will be used to determine the effectiveness and achievements realized through the proposed grant activities?  

Is there evidence of institutional support during the grant period? Is there an institutional commitment to sustain grant-funded activities after the grant period? 

Nursing schools that meet the eligibility criteria will be able to compete for grant awards by submitting grant proposals.  These proposals must improve or expand existing nursing programs using strategies that are supported by current research and best practices.  Also, proposals must relate to institutional performance measures and goals. 

The grant awards for eligible nursing programs shall be determined using a competitive process to review applications.  The Board's standards for approval include, but are not limited to, the following criteria, considerations, and weightings:

25%   Evidence of effective project objectives and performance goals, including evidence of current research and best practices.

25%   Proposed use of funds and budget justification demonstrating an effective use of program resources.

25%   Evidence of how an institution will use grant funding to help close equity gaps in enrollment, course completion, graduation, or licensure by students who are African American, Latino, low-income, first-generation college, from rural communities,

working adults, or students with disabilities.  Proposals may address more than one of the equity gaps and student populations.

15%   Evidence of an effective assessment and evaluation plan for outcomes and related progress achieved through the grant.

10%   Evidence of institutional support and sustainability plans for grant-funded activities.

Priority for funding will be given to the following which are listed in order starting with the top priority:

1. Funding for baccalaureate-completion programs to facilitate student articulation from an ADN program offered by a community college to a BSN or RN-BSN program offered by a 4-year institution.
2. Funding for continuation of a Nursing School Grant previously awarded.
3. Funding for a new grant to expand or improve an eligible nursing program.