Washington, D.C., November 6, 2026 - The Foundation for Academic Nursing, the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), is pleased to announce the 2026–2027 recipients of the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant. The nurse educators to receive funding this year include Dr. Tonychris Nnaka from the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNT Health), Fort Worth, for a project titled Integrating AI-Powered Holographic Standardized Patient Simulations into the Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum, and Dr. Natalya Pasklinsky from Columbia University for a project titled Enhancing Communication and Documentation Competencies Through AI-Enabled Simulation Preparation.
 
Launched in 2020, the Faculty Scholars Grant Program was established by the AACN Board of Directors to support nurse educators whose scholarly work addresses pressing issues in nursing education and practice while advancing AACN’s strategic priorities. Initial funding for this program was provided by more than 150 member schools and colleague organizations that contributed to AACN’s 50th Anniversary Celebration program. Wolters Kluwer returned this year as a program sponsor, contributing $25,000 to support a Faculty Scholars Grant. 
 
“AACN is committed to supporting faculty scholarship that advances nursing education and prepares students for the complexities of patient care,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s Faculty Scholars are exploring how AI can enhance simulation, strengthen essential nursing skills, and enrich student learning. Their work will offer valuable insights into how emerging technologies can help prepare future nurses for practice.”

Meet the 2026–2027 AACN Faculty Scholars

With a call for proposals reflecting the theme: Integrating Emerging Technologies into Nursing Curriculum, AACN received over 100 applications from faculty nationwide, with two scholarly efforts each receiving $25,000 in support. Faculty leading this work include:

Tonychris Nnaka, PhD, MPH, RN, CPH, FAAN, is associate professor of nursing, associate vice president for health research and innovation, and executive director of the Health Research and Innovation Center at UNT Health. A nurse scientist, epidemiologist, and educator, his research focuses on AI and digital therapeutics to improve chronic disease self-management and prepare healthcare professionals to integrate emerging technologies into clinical practice. He pioneered a graduate nursing concentration in Digital Health Innovation and AI at UNT Health. His research has received federal support from NIH and HRSA. He completed an NINR-funded T32 doctoral fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin and NIDA-funded T32 postdoctoral fellowship at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. Before entering academia, Dr. Nnaka practiced as a surgical and trauma critical care nurse and held clinical and health policy leadership roles.

Natalya Pasklinsky, DNP, ACNP-BC, CHSE-A, FNYAM, is associate professor and assistant dean of the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center at Columbia University School of Nursing. She leads AI-driven simulation and interprofessional education spanning seven health professions. A 2026 Google AI Fellow and Columbia AiX Fellow, she is pioneering the use of AI avatars in nursing education and became chair of the AIHC Innovation Collaborative in September 2026. She directs a global collaboration with Semmelweis University in Budapest, including a joint simulation-based course in compassionate communication. Previously executive director of Simulation Learning at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, Dr. Pasklinsky led the center’s Society for Simulation in Healthcare accreditation and the rollout of an academic electronic health record. Her work is supported by the NIH and Columbia University and has been presented nationally and internationally.

Visit the website for information on the award-winning projects launched by previous grant recipients. A call for applications for the next round of funding through the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant Program will be issued in May 2027.

Contributing to the Foundation for Academic Nursing

The Foundation for Academic Nursing is currently seeking support from philanthropies, corporate donors, and individuals looking to advance AACN’s goals and priorities. Your support will help expand our impact and usher in new innovations in nursing education and practice. Those wishing to contribute to the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant Program and other initiatives are encouraged to donate online via the AACN website. Click here to see a list of current donors. For more information, please contact AACN’s Foundation Director, Dr. Katie Fioravanti, at kfioravanti@aacnnursing.org.

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The Foundation for Academic Nursing is the philanthropic arm of AACN that raises funds to support new innovations in nursing education and practice. The Foundation serves as a focal point for AACN’s fundraising efforts while elevating the importance of academic nursing and our member schools in the philanthropic community.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the voice for academic nursing representing more than 890 member schools of nursing at public and private institutions nationwide. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.