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

SCHOLARSHIPS

Learn More

Latest News

2024-2025 Faculty Scholar Grant Recipients Announced

The Foundation for Academic Nursing, the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (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.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2024 Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship

This $3,500 scholarship is designed to recognize graduate nursing students who aspire to leadership positions in academic nursing. In addition to $2,000 to cover educational expenses, funded students will be given the opportunity to participate in one of AACN’s signature student-focused conferences and in a virtual leadership development experience with Dr. Trautman. Up to $1,500 of the scholarship award will be used to cover travel expenses to the conference. Two scholarships will be awarded annually. Application deadline is October 1, 2024.

New Grant Announced - GNSA PhD-DNP Collaboration Grant Program

The Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) announced a new grant to support innovative collaborations among students in PhD and DNP programs. The GNSA will award a $2,000 grant to support a scholarly initiative focused on generating new knowledge and translating research into practice. Grant recipients will provide exemplars for how future doctoral students can collaborate in ways that advance nursing science and practice.

2024-2024 Faculty Scholars Grant Program

With a total of $50,000 in funding available, two $25,000 faculty-led projects will be supported through 2025. The theme for this academic year is Innovation in the Use and Measurement of Simulation Pedagogy in Nursing Education. Proposals that explore the impact of simulation-based education on student transition to practice outcomes, using various methodologies, are encouraged. The application cycle is now closed. Recipients will be awarded at the Academic Nursing Leadership Conference in October 2024. 

Uniform Advantage Relaunches Scholarship Program through AACN’s Foundation for Academic Nursing

AACN is pleased to announce that Uniform Advantage, a leading multi-channel retailer of medical scrubs and uniforms, has committed $30,000 to supporting a scholarship program open to graduate nursing students attending AACN member schools. 

Meet the 2024 Future Nurse Leader Scholarship Award Recipients

The Foundation for Academic Nursing announces 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 Amit Dhir, a PhD student from Johns Hopkins University, and Karla Kerkove, a PhD student from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

2023-2024 Faculty Scholar Grant Recipients Announced

The Foundation for Academic Nursing is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 recipients of the AACN Faculty Scholars Grant. The nurse educators to receive funding this year include Dr. Michael L. Jones from East Carolina University for his project titled Recruitment of Middle School African American Males to the Nursing Profession; and Dr. Catherine Horvath from Georgetown University for her project titled Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a DEIB and Anti-Racism-Focused CRNA Preceptor Module.

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

Charity Navigator Badge: 100 out of 100, Give with Confidence        Platinum Transparency 2024 Candid