Foundation for Academic Nursing

Logo: Foundation for Academic Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Our members educate the future nursing workforce.

By giving to the Foundation for Academic Nursing, you are helping us support our member schools to provide quality nursing education needed to prepare clinicians, scientists, faculty, and leaders to care for the nation. 

About the Foundation

The Foundation for Academic Nursing was launched in 2020 to support the mission of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to serve as the catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. Guided by an advisory committee with education, corporate, and philanthropic leaders, the Foundation is the focal point for supporting the needs of AACN member schools, their faculties, and students. Through partnerships with donors, the Foundation has a goal of strengthening the nursing workforce through supporting nurse educators and their students to reach their full potential.

Meet the Foundation Advisory Committee

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Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Faculty Scholars Grant Program

AACN is seeking proposals to assess the impact of didactic and clinical learning experiences on teaching health policy to undergraduate and/or graduate nursing students, including the utilization of those experiences. One $25,000 grant will be awarded for a policy-focused project involving curriculum innovation and student learning measurement. AACN is also accepting proposals that examine the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing education and learning assessment. One $25,000 grant will be awarded for research measuring key aspects of nursing education, such as student outcomes and faculty development.

Application deadline: August 8, 2025

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SCHOLARSHIPS

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Latest News

AACN's Foundation for Academic Nursing Launches 2025 Faculty Scholars Grant Program

Now in its fifth year, this initiative supports nurse educators whose scholarly work addresses pressing issues in nursing education and practice while advancing AACN’s strategic priorities. A total of $50,000 will be awarded to fund two faculty-led projects, each receiving $25,000 through 2026. The Foundation is pleased to welcome Wolters Kluwer, a global leader in trusted clinical technology and evidence-based healthcare solutions, as a sponsor of one of the two grants to be awarded this year.

Meet the 2025 Future Nurse Leader Scholarship Award Recipients

Congratulations to the latest graduate students to receive the Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship. With funding provided by Liaison International, AACN’s partner in NursingCAS, the scholarship recipients include Catherine Harpst, a PhD student from University of Arizona, and Sintya Sintya, a DNP student from Loma Linda University.

2024-2025 Faculty Scholar Grant Recipients Announced

The Foundation for Academic Nursing, the philanthropic arm of AACN, is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 recipients of the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant. The nurse educators to receive funding this year include Dr. Laura Klenke-Borgmann from the University of Kansas for a project titled Utilizing a Scaffolded, Multi-Modal Simulation Approach for Transition to Practice, and the team of Dr. Kelly Powers and Dr. Katherine Shue-McGuffin from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for their project titled Transition to Community Practice Intraprofessional Simulation: Building Collaborative Competencies for Community-Based Care.

AACN and Bio-Oil® Launch New Scholarship to Support Nursing Students 

AACN and Bio-Oil® are pleased to announce the launch of a new scholarship program designed to support careers in labor and delivery nursing. Open to students enrolled in baccalaureate nursing programs at AACN member schools, the Bio-Oil® Labor of Love Scholarship will provide one-time $5,000 awards to 10 nursing students during the 2024-2025 academic year.

 

View Past Foundation News

Recipients Testimonials

Receiving the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant allowed me to introduce a new form of simulation to my students. Using immersive virtual reality, students have been able to experience primary care that may not have happened otherwise. Students are asking for more of this type of learning and sharing great ideas with how virtual reality can be used to enhance nursing education. 

- Dr. Beth Culross, Faculty Scholar

Being selected as an AACN Trautman scholar is an incredible opportunity for me to learn from inspirational nurse leaders and meet new colleagues. I am excited to expand my network and continue to work collaboratively with all members of the healthcare team. This experience is one that I will carry throughout my career and am grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Trautman.

- Rika Win Kemp, Student Scholarship Recipient

As one of the recipients of the 2022 Deborah E. Trautman scholarship, it is such an honor. I was inspired to apply for this scholarship as I had attended a few AACN conferences last summer which motivated me to not only join the Graduate Nursing Student Academy but also seek out additional opportunities to expand my knowledge in professional development and advocacy. Scholarships such as these allow us to grow our skillset and become better-equipped providers and caregivers.

- Nkemdilim "Kelly" Diaz, Student Scholarship Recipient

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