Foundation Quarterly Impact: Introducing the Professional Nursing Scholarship

October 2026

The Foundation for Academic Nursing continues to advance its mission with purpose and momentum. The Foundation currently manages eight scholarship programs made possible through the generous support of corporate and association partners, each helping to expand access to nursing education and strengthen the future of the profession. On October 15, the Foundation will introduce a new scholarship funded through individual donations, marking an important milestone and creating a meaningful new opportunity for donors to directly support graduate nursing students. The launch of the new Professional Nursing Scholarship comes at a critical time. As funding options for students pursuing graduate nursing education become more limited, philanthropic support is needed to help reduce financial barriers for aspiring advanced practice nurses. The scholarship will focus on a different specialty area each year, allowing the Foundation to respond to emerging workforce needs while investing in students whose future practice will make a lasting difference in communities across the country. For its inaugural year, the scholarship will benefit students pursuing the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to become family nurse practitioners. This year, three $2,500 awards will be granted.

This focus is especially timely given the ongoing shortage of primary care practitioners in the United States. Family nurse practitioners play an essential role in improving access to high-quality, patient-centered care, particularly in rural, underserved, and high-need communities. By investing in these students, the Foundation is not only helping individuals advance their education but also strengthening the nation's healthcare workforce and expanding access to care in communities where it is needed most.

Individual donors are central to making this new scholarship possible. Every gift, regardless of size, helps build a sustainable source of support for graduate nursing students and demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing academic nursing. Contributions may also be made in honor or in memory of a colleague, mentor, loved one, or friend, creating a meaningful tribute while supporting the next generation of nursing leaders.

In recent months, the Foundation has been especially touched by the number of memorial gifts received from those wishing to honor the legacy of individuals who cared deeply about nursing, education, and service. These gifts reflect the enduring impact one person can have on the profession and provide a powerful way to carry that legacy forward. The Professional Nursing Scholarship offers donors a meaningful way to honor those who have shaped nursing while helping future nurse practitioners bring care, expertise, and leadership to communities across the country.

Click here to explore all the ways you can donate to support the Foundation of Academic Nursing and the future nursing workforce.