NLN Nursing Education Research Grants Program
Research activities advance the NLN's goal of taking the "lead in the conduct of research that informs and promotes evidence-based teaching, advances the science of nursing education, and provides and interprets data about nursing education and the nurse
educator workforce." Over the past decade, the NLN has provided funding of approximately $2 million dollars for research in nursing education.
The 2027 cycle is expected to open by November 1, 2026. Check back soon for specific opening and closing dates.
Available NLN Funding Opportunities
- NLN Research in Nursing Education Grants (maximum grant up to $30,000)
- Emerging Investigator in Nursing Education Research Award (up to $5,000)
- Mary Anne Rizzolo Doctoral Research Award ($2,500 award for doctoral student)
- Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo Research Award (up to $7,500 award for graduate student)
Co-Sponsored:
- Eastern Nursing Research Society/NLN Doctoral Research Award ($2,500 award for doctoral student)
- Southern Nursing Research Society/NLN Doctoral Research Award ($5,000 award for doctoral student)
- Sigma Foundation for Nursing/NLN Research Award ($5,000 award)
- Western Institute of Nursing/NLN Research Award ($5,000 award)
Resources to Review Before Preparing Proposals
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the following resources before preparing and submitting a proposal. These documents provide important guidance on eligibility, proposal requirements, review criteria, budget preparation, and required application forms. (For access, be sure to enable pop-ups in your browser).
- NLN Nursing Education Research Grants Submission Guidelines (PDF)
- Proposal Review Rubric (PDF)
- Critical Points in Successful Nursing Education Research Grant Proposals(PPT) - This slide deck highlights strategies for strengthening proposal rigor and avoiding common pitfalls. It offers guidance on evaluating project feasibility within time and budget constraints, summarizes key review criteria, and encourages submissions that address priority issues advancing the science of nursing education.
- NLN Research Priorities in Nursing Education 2024-2027 (PDF)
- Research Grant Budget Template and Modification Form (XLSX) - This document is required and should be uploaded separately in the application system.
- Sample Budget (justification not included in sample)
- Qualifications of the PI Form (DOCX) - This document is required and should be included in the Comprehensive file.
- Biosketch Form for PI, Co-PIs and consultants (DOCX) - This document is required and should be included in the Comprehensive file.
- FAQs (PDF)
Online Submission System
Please note: Submissions are accepted online only. You must have a SurveyMonkey Apply account to submit an application. Your NLN Member login is NOT valid.
Please use links above to review specific requirements
for each funding opportunity before starting your proposal.
Review Process
The NLN Nursing Education Research Grants review process is used. All proposals are submitted for blind review by carefully selected experts in nursing education research. The submitted Blind Review File is the file that is reviewed by these experts. Grant recipients are selected through a peer review process using the NLN Proposal Review Rubric (see under resources list above).
NLN members who are interested in volunteering as a grant reviewer and have not applied the current cycle, please complete INTEREST FORM.
NLN's appointed Scientific Research Review Board meets each spring to select NLN's research grant and award recipients who are recognized annually at the NLN Education Summit.
Letters of notification are sent to grant applicants in July of each cycle.
Grant recipients are formally announced at the NLN Education Summit each fall. Awardees are encouraged to attend.
For questions about the submission or review process, please contact research@nln.org
Reporting Requirements
- One-year grants must be completed by October 1 of the year following the funding award.
- Two-year grants must be completed by October 1 of the second year following the funding award.