AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing Announces New Support for Graduate Students Preparing to Lead

Washington, D.C., September 16, 2025 - Launched to prepare the next generation of academic nursing leaders, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is pleased to announce the continuation of the Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship. Funded by Liaison International, AACN’s partner in NursingCAS, this scholarship and leadership development experience was established in honor of AACN’s President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Deborah Trautman and is administered by the Foundation for Academic Nursing.

Now in its sixth year, Liaison International has increased its commitment to this scholarship from $7,000 to $10,000 in funding each year through 2028. Two students will be selected for a scholarship annually, with $3,500 provided directly to the student, and $1,500 used to cover leadership development expenses. Students selected through a competitive process will participate in a virtual leadership development experience with Dr. Trautman and have the opportunity to attend one of AACN’s student-focused conferences.

This scholarship is open to students in master’s or doctoral nursing programs offered at AACN member schools affiliated with NursingCAS, the nation’s only centralized application service for nursing programs. Students must show high academic achievement and list past experiences that illustrate a commitment to academic nursing. Applicants must be currently enrolled as a student in good standing and be a member of AACN’s Graduate Nursing Student Academy (membership is free). A complete list of eligibility requirements and brief profiles of the 10 previous scholarship winners are posted on the Foundation’s website.

Applications for this scholarship program will be accepted through October 30, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be announced in January 2026. To apply for the scholarship, click here. Please direct any questions about this program to Foundation Coordinator Alexa Betances at abetances@aacnnursing.org.

Partnering to Support Nursing Students

AACN actively seeks opportunities to partner with corporate sponsors and other stakeholders to provide discounted services and scholarship programs to nursing schools and students in baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs. The association currently administers scholarship programs in conjunction with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Certiphi Screening®, Hurst Review Services, Liaison International, QGenda, Scrubin Uniforms, Uniform Advantage, and Wolters Kluwer. Those interested in establishing a scholarship program and/or partnering with AACN are encouraged to contact Foundation Director, Dr. Katie Fioravanti, at kfioravanti@aacnnursing.org.

To make a donation to the Foundation of Academic Nursing, click here.

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The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the voice for academic nursing representing more than 875 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. Learn more at aacnnursing.org.

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. Learn more at www.aacnnursing.org/Foundation.

CONTACT

Robert Rosseter
rrosseter@aacnnursing.org
(202) 463-6930