WASHINGTON, D.C., February 5, 2026 – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) applauds Congress for passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 [P.L. No. 119-75], which is a fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations package that includes funding for priority nursing programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) funding title. In particular, AACN is pleased that this legislation provides level funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) despite proposed cuts contained in the President’s FY 2026 budget request as well as the LHHS-ED appropriations bills debated in Congress last year. Specific funding totals contained in the law are as follows:

• $305.472 million for the Title VIII Programs. AACN notes slight variation in funding levels for individual Title VIII Programs in relation to prior fiscal years, including a $2 million decrease for the Nursing Workforce Diversity Program, a $1 million increase for the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Program (NEPQR), and a $1 million increase for the Nurse Practitioner Optional Fellowship Program.

• $197.693 million for NINR and preservation of the structure and independence of the institute within the National Institutes of Health.

“We commend Congress for its bipartisan support of federal programs to strengthen nursing education, workforce development, and research,” said Dr. Jean Giddens, Chair of AACN’s Board of Directors. “Bolstered by this sustained investment, AACN members can continue to provide high-quality education for our nursing students and future frontline healthcare providers."

AACN recognizes the crucial role that each of the Title VIII programs play in addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, and retention, as well as the foundational importance of NINR in establishing the scientific basis for high-quality nursing care. As such, we deeply appreciate Congress for its bipartisan work to pass a full-year FY 2026 LHHS-ED bill that maintains funding for these critical programs and rejects steep cuts that were proposed by the Administration and the House of Representatives last year.

“The academic nursing community recognizes that Congress has maintained funding for vital programs that support our nursing schools, faculty, and students,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. “AACN appreciates Congress’s commitment to meeting nursing workforce needs by investing in nursing education pathways.”

We would like to thank Congressional leaders, members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the House and Senate Nursing Caucuses, and the thousands of AACN Advocates who sent messages to Congress advocating for Title VIII and NINR funding throughout the FY 2026 appropriations process. As we look ahead to the FY 2027 appropriations cycle, AACN is eager to build upon this progress and ensure that funding for Title VIII and NINR remains a priority. More information on AACN’s advocacy efforts, including an updated FY 2026 funding chart, can be found on our website.

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The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 875 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research and practice.