Nursing Home Staffing Campaign

The Nursing Home Staffing Campaign, a forecasted funding opportunity led by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), represents a strategic federal initiative to address persistent staffing challenges in nursing homes across the United States. This program is grounded in CMS’s broader mission to ensure quality and safety in long-term care facilities and aligns with its commitment to enhancing the standards of care for elderly and vulnerable populations residing in nursing homes. Through this initiative, CMS aims to attract and retain qualified nursing personnel in a sector that continues to face acute workforce shortages, particularly in the wake of public health crises and increasing regulatory oversight. CMS recognizes that adequate staffing levels—particularly registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs)—are a critical determinant of the quality of care provided to nursing home residents. However, many nursing homes struggle to recruit and retain sufficient nursing staff, and state survey agencies tasked with overseeing facility compliance face similar hiring difficulties. To address this gap, the Nursing Home Staffing Campaign will provide funding to eligible organizations that can administer financial incentive programs aimed at increasing the supply of nurses in these roles. The core of this opportunity is the issuance of cooperative agreements that will support organizations in deploying financial incentives such as loan repayment programs and direct stipends. These incentives will be provided to RNs and LPNs/LVNs in exchange for a three-year commitment to work in qualifying nursing homes or in oversight positions within state agencies that inspect such facilities. This structure not only supports direct care but also bolsters regulatory capacity through enhanced staffing in inspection roles. CMS emphasizes the importance of long-term placement to ensure continuity of care and the stabilization of nursing home operations. The opportunity is expected to distribute up to $80 million in total funding, with five anticipated awards. While the specific floor and ceiling for award amounts are not listed in the forecast, the substantial program funding implies significant investment per grantee. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement indicated. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and private higher education institutions, as well as nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding for-profit entities and governmental agencies. This inclusive eligibility criterion is designed to leverage a wide variety of institutional capabilities to execute this national campaign. Although the forecast does not include exact application open and due dates, the estimated award date is May 15, 2026, with projects beginning June 1, 2026. No pre-application steps such as concept papers or letters of intent are required per the available information. Additional program details and the finalized application materials will be released closer to the posting date. As of now, the forecast functions as an early alert to eligible organizations to prepare for a competitive application process. For inquiries, applicants are directed to contact [email protected]. This opportunity is expected to recur in the future, although no specific recurrence interval is mentioned. The cooperative agreement model signals CMS’s intention to remain actively engaged in the implementation of funded programs, ensuring that awardees meet intended outcomes and adapt as needed to the challenges in nursing home staffing.