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

  • NLN Research Priorities in Nursing Education 2024-2027 (PDF)
  • NLN Research Grant Submission Guidelines (PDF)
  • NLN Grant Proposal Review Rubric (PDF)
  • Critical Points in Successful Nursing Education Research Grant Proposals (PPT)
  • FAQs (PDF)
  • Qualifications of the PI Form (DOCX) 
  • Biosketch Form for PI, Co-PIs and consultants (DOCX)
  • Research Grant Budget Template and Modification Form (XLSX). There will be a place to upload this document separately in the application system.
    • Sample Budget (justification not included in sample)

    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.

    SUBMIT 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 (PDF).

    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 or search the FAQs (pdf).