NLN Names First Annual Awards for Program of Excellence in Research-Focused Doctorate in Nursing Education

NLN Names First Annual Awards for Program of Excellence in Research-Focused Doctorate in Nursing Education

Winning Programs Will Be Honored During 2026 NLN Education Summit in Washington, DC, September 23-25

Washington, DC — The National League for Nursing proudly announces the selection of five doctoral programs in nursing education as the inaugural winners of the NLN Program of Excellence for Research-Focused Doctoral Programs Award. This distinctive honor was created last year to recognize exemplary PhD programs in nursing.

This year’s honorees represent the first class of programs that have excelled in fostering an environment that supports nursing research, influences the health of the public, and prepares students to ethically address current priorities and emerging trends in nursing science. 

Formal recognition is set for the Honors Convocation, which will be held during the 2026 NLN Education Summit, September 23-25 in Washington, DC. The 2026 Research-Focused Doctoral Programs of Excellence include:

• Louisiana State University
• Texas Woman’s University
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• University of Florida
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  

“We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding PhD programs and expect with excitement the scholarly contributions by the students and nurse faculty scientists whose research will advance the health of the nation and global community,” said NLN Chair Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, chair of the Department of Nursing, North Carolina Central University and patient placement coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital.

There are currently fewer than 150 research-focused doctoral programs within U.S. colleges of nursing, a number the National League for Nursing and nursing education leadership nationwide are determined to grow. Establishing this award presents an opportunity for the League, as the leader for nurse educators, to encourage higher education in nursing to prioritize nursing science.

Additionally, to recognize the nurse scientists whose research guides clinical practice, shapes health policy, and educates the next generation of nursing scholars, the National League for Nursing celebrated the first-ever Nurse Scientist Day on June 14.

“To advance nursing education, the profession must work to support increasing numbers of nurse scientists. Their original, rigorous scholarship will support evidence-based best practices in clinical practice, academia, leadership, and health policy to prepare this and future generations of nursing scientists to yield outstanding health outcomes,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN.

Doctoral programs aspiring to be named in future award cycles must demonstrate an inclusive environment that promotes nursing research, PhD student matriculation, and postgraduation outcomes. Additionally, nursing schools that generate research outputs that impact the scientific community and health of the public will receive significant consideration.

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