Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is a federally funded initiative aimed at addressing the national shortage of nursing faculty by supporting the education of qualified nurse educators. As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA focuses on enhancing health care access and outcomes, particularly in underserved communities. Through the NFLP, the agency seeks to strengthen nursing education infrastructure by encouraging students to pursue careers in academic nursing, including roles as faculty and preceptors. The NFLP offers low-interest loans to students enrolled in advanced nursing education programs with the intent to become nurse faculty members. A significant incentive for program participants is the loan forgiveness provision: up to 85% of the loan principal and interest can be canceled if the borrower serves full-time as a nurse faculty member for up to four years. This includes service as preceptors within academic-practice partnerships for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). The structure of the program directly aligns financial support with the employment outcomes HRSA deems critical to the health care education system. Eligibility for NFLP funding is limited to accredited schools of nursing that offer advanced nursing education programs. These schools must be accredited at the time of application and throughout the award period by a recognized national or state accrediting agency. Institutions may include public, private, and tribal schools of nursing, as well as a range of nonprofit and for-profit higher education institutions. Eligible entities must submit documentation of their accreditation as part of their application package. Tribal organizations may qualify if they own and operate such a school. The program anticipates making approximately 80 awards in fiscal year 2026, with total available funding estimated at $25.6 million. Applicants are expected to submit complete application packages electronically through Grants.gov. Submission must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on May 15, 2026. The estimated posting date for the official notice is March 31, 2026. While no pre-application stage such as a Letter of Intent is specified, applicants must ensure that all required documentation, including accreditation verification, is provided. Evaluation criteria are not detailed in the forecast but will likely include eligibility compliance, alignment with the program’s purpose, and institutional capacity to manage loan distribution and oversight. Notification of awards is expected by June 1, 2026, with funded projects starting on July 1, 2026. As this opportunity is labeled a forecast with expected recurring issuance, future cycles may follow similar timelines. There is a cost-sharing or matching requirement, though specific ratios or amounts have not been published in the forecast. Interested applicants should anticipate financial planning for this component and await further clarification in the final notice. Program-related inquiries can be directed to Nawall Kertache at the HRSA contact center via email at [email protected] or by phone at 877-464-4772. The program falls under CFDA number 93.264 and is categorized under the discretionary funding type in the health domain. As a forecasted opportunity, this grant remains in the early engagement stage, and prospective applicants should prepare by reviewing eligibility, ensuring timely registration in Grants.gov, and planning for the full application release.