Nursing School Grant (IL)

The Nursing School Grant in Illinois aims to enhance the number of highly qualified registered nurses by funding educational institutions that provide nursing programs. This initiative focuses on bridging equity gaps in nursing education, ensuring that diverse populations can access quality training. Eligible institutions can apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000 to improve nursing education through innovative strategies and support services, ultimately contributing to better healthcare outcomes in the state.

This grant program seeks to increase the number of registered professional nurses with high-quality postsecondary credentials to meet the demands of the Illinois economy. Grants are awarded to Illinois institutions of higher education that prepare registered professional nurses at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s entry level. Nursing schools that meet the eligibility criteria will be able to compete for grant awards. Grant proposals must improve or expand existing nursing programs using strategies that are supported by current research and best practices. Also, proposals must relate to institutional performance measures and goals.
Additionally, the Board will be looking for evidence of proposals that will help to close equity gaps in enrollment, course completion, graduation, and/or licensure by students who are African American, Latino, low-income, first-generation college, from rural communities, working adults, or students with disabilities.
Project objectives and performance goals, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Number of degrees conferred (3-year trend);
• First-year retention rate (3-year trend based on 30 semester hours or equivalent);
• NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time test takers in comparison to the national average for the previous calendar year as reported by DFPR; and
• Job placement within 6 months after degree completion (3-year trend).
• Statement of institutional support and sustainability of grant-funded activities.
• Funding
• Award Ceiling - $150,000.00
• Award Floor - $10,000.00

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:Education OrganizationsApplicant Eligibility: Illinois institutions offering registered professional nursing programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master level.Acceptable expenditures may include, but are not limited to, the following direct costs:Expand or enhance student services offered for student success in Nursing programs.
(Implementation of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) exam.
Training, a pilot program, and/or adoption of competency-based education and/or assessment methods for nursing education.
Strategies to improve clinical partnerships and/or students’ clinical experiences.
Special recruitment strategies focused on nursing students.
Hire additional qualified nursing faculty and staff.
Develop or expand instructional programs (e.g., online, weekend, evening).
Improve or increase space for nursing classrooms or laboratories.
Purchase equipment and other program-related instructional materials.Two or more eligible institutions may submit a cooperative project and identify one institution to be the grantee and fiscal agent.Associated degree programs must also provide a copy of a current articulation agreement in place with at least one Illinois institution that offers a baccalaureate degree in nursing.