HRSA Is Offering $20 Million To Expand Nursing Education — And Indian Country Qualifies

Federal nursing education funding is on the table, and tribal organizations are invited to apply.

The Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant Opens April 28, 2026

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is forecasting the release of the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) grant, Opportunity HRSA-26-095, with an estimated post date of April 28, 2026 and applications due by June 12, 2026. HRSA expects to distribute $20,000,000 across 36 awards, with individual grants reaching up to $555,000. Projects are projected to launch September 1, 2026. The program’s stated purpose is to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds — a broad mandate that opens the door for a wide range of organizations serving Our Relatives across Indian Country.

Tribes and Tribal Organizations Are Among the Eligible Applicants

This forecasted grant welcomes a diverse applicant pool: county governments, state governments, accredited schools of nursing, nonprofits, academic health centers, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations — and explicitly, federally recognized tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations. No cost-sharing or matching funds are required. For organizations already doing the work of building culturally competent Native health infrastructure, this is a meaningful opportunity worth pursuing.

Ellsworth Encourages Indian Country To Pursue Every Available Resource

As a 100% Navajo-owned, ISBEE-certified Native owned small business supporting IHS facilities and tribal health programs nationwide, Ellsworth Medical Staffing believes every door that opens for Native health workforce development is worth walking through. Start your application at Grants.gov today!