Eligibility & Criteria

This program has a two-fold purpose: to increase the numbers of nurses and to address diversity among nursing  professionals. Given the need to increase the numbers of nurses, successful applicant organizations must demonstrate that additional resources will be used to leverage internal and external resources to expand their professional nursing programs. RWJF is committed to programs that embrace diversity across multiple dimensions including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion and socioeconomic status. Proposals should address the applicant's plans to recruit and retain students from groups that are underrepresented in nursing, including individuals from ethnic and racial minority groups, low income, or other disadvantaged backgrounds.

Accordingly, applications should address the applicant organization’s past achievements as well as future plans to recruit, retain and sustain a diverse student body, including how funds will be used to:

  • assist in recruitment of scholarship candidates from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds in entry-level accelerated baccalaureate nursing programs and/or master’s nursing programs for non-nursing college graduates; and
  • implement mentorship and leadership development activities for scholarship recipients at the award site.

 To be eligible for a grant, applicant institutions must:

  • offer an entry-level accelerated baccalaureate nursing program or master's nursing program for non-nursing college graduates;
  • be accredited by a nursing accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and
  • actively recruit and enroll students from groups underrepresented in nursing or economically disadvantaged.

To be eligible for scholarships, students must:

  • be from groups that are underrepresented in nursing or who are economically disadvantaged as defined herein,
  • be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its territories at the time of application for the scholarship,
  • be enrolled full-time in a entry-level accelerated baccalaureate nursing program and/or master's nursing program for non-nursing college graduates; and
  • commit to pursuing professional nursing licensure through the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).
  • required to sign a letter of commitment.