Navigating the Challenges: Funding for Nursing Research

Scientists are receiving notice that grant money for research already awarded is

stopped by the federal government (1, 2). A federal reduction in force (RIF) continues and has included Directors at the National Institute of Health, including the Director of the National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR) (3).

Academic settings and research programs that support nursing and interdisciplinary healthcare research can be affected (4). Progress in funding of nursing research has taken place over the last several decades and financial support of nursing research needs to continue to improve patient lives and promote health.

History of Nursing Research in the United States

Nursing research plays a pivotal role in the development and advancement of nursing science and healthcare improvement globally. It provides the evidence-based foundation needed for high-quality patient care and has contributed to the growth and professionalization of nursing as a discipline.

In the United States, nursing research regained momentum in the 20th century. The establishment of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in 1985 marked a significant milestone, providing dedicated funding and support for nursing research.

This facilitated the growth of research programs across academic institutions and healthcare organizations, leading to significant advancements in nursing practice and patient care (5).

The NINR's mission has been to promote and improve the health of individuals, families, and communities through research while engaged in informing practice and policy (6).  Nurse researchers in the United States have made significant contributions to understanding and addressing various health issues, from chronic disease management to patient safety and healthcare delivery models.

Clinical Research

Clinical nursing research has focused on improving patient care and outcomes through efforts leading to evidence-based practices. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including pain management, wound care, infection control, and patient education. Clinical research in nursing often involves interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on insights from medicine, psychology, and other fields to develop comprehensive care strategies.

Nurses have been able to identify best practices that improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care provided in clinical settings. These evidence-based practices are continually refined and updated as new research findings emerge, ensuring that nursing care remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

Educational Research

Educational research is concerned with the development and evaluation of nursing education programs and curricula. It examines how nurses are trained and assesses the effectiveness of various teaching methods and educational frameworks. The goal is to ensure that nursing education prepares students to meet the complex and evolving demands of healthcare.

Innovations in educational research have led to the adoption of simulation technology in nursing education, providing students with hands-on experience in a controlled environment. This has been shown to enhance clinical skills and improve critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Additionally, educational research has emphasized the importance of interprofessional education, fostering collaboration between nursing students and other healthcare professionals to improve teamwork and patient care.

More Research Focus

In its strategic plan, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) mission and focus of research includes the advancement of our understanding of diversity, social determinants of health, and other key areas that nursing care and education can have a dramatic effect moving forward – all seemingly at risk with the current administration as support for studies exploring diversity, gender differences are becoming outlawed from federal dollar support.

In addition, in the report entitled The Future of Nursing 2020-2030, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has outlined a research agenda for nursing that includes a focus on the importance of nurses in the work of schools and practice settings (7).

Effects of Reduced Funding for Nursing Research

Funding cuts can have several critical impacts that limit nursing research, its growth, and the programs across academic institutions and healthcare organizations that support research.

Reduced support for training grants and infrastructure impedes the education and development of nurse scientists. If resources become unavailable, it hampers the capacity to carry out significant research, which is crucial for advancing human health through nursing care.

The lack of opportunity for competitive grant applications can create challenges in obtaining research funding, affecting or hindering innovation in education and practice. This can lead to slower adoption of new healthcare modalities and technologies important for today’s advancements in nursing.

Broader impacts also include fewer opportunities for nursing-specific research projects and slower advancement of nursing theories and knowledge development.

Plan of action

In order to stay proactive, it is important to think of creative and innovative ways to seek financial support for nursing research. Questions to think about include,

• Are there private sector sources available that align with your interest or program of research?

  
  

• Are there private foundations, healthcare organizations, and industry partnerships?

  
  

• Any additional private sector sources, including pharmaceutical companies or medical

device manufacturers, health insurance foundations, where funding potential is

possible?

• How about research institutions, academic medical centers, collaborative networks, or partnerships that exist that can collaborate in research efforts through funding and resources?

  
  

For current research funding organizations, get to know what the target of interest may be and areas of research supported, dates open for proposal submission, and generally any information helpful to you, an interested applicant. Grant availability and funding priorities may change over time. Check each organization's current grant opportunities and requirements directly.

Exploring any of the following may be helpful. 

Foundations or Trust Funds

·       Nursing Research Grants | American Nurses Foundation | ANA   provides research grants to nursing scholars

·        Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - focuses on healthcare improvement and nursing leadership

       DAISY Foundation Grants | DAISY Foundation provides a listing of research focus supported that includes support for studies related to health equity and technology.

      John A Hartford Foundation supports study related to the care of older adults

      Patient-centered Research Institute (PCORI) application is by private and public sector organizations that are interested in exploring opportunities to conduct patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research.

     The AONL Foundation supports research study of topics important to the science and future of nurse leadership.  

Professional Nurse Associations

       American Association of Critical-Care Nurses provides members an opportunity to submit application in the study of nursing practice that can lead to innovation or improve care for bedside nurses.  

     Oncology Nursing Society supports applications from all career levels of PhD-prepared investigators interested in patient care-related studies.

   The National League for Nursing provides funding that can promote an increased understanding of evidence-based practice in nursing education.

Sigma International (Nursing Honor Society) offers varied focus awards for competitive funding of studies that advance nursing knowledge.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing provides grant review and funding in the study of the nursing workforce, new technology, and innovative practice  

This list is not exhaustive of nursing research funding sources available. Other private organizations provide grants to support studies on patient care, nursing education, and health policy.

Call to action - Look for new financial sources in support of nursing research

Finding an organization that is in alignment with your interests is not easy and may result in new opportunities. Funding opportunities can be created through advocacy and building new partnerships in collaboration. Exploration of any of the following may be helpful, 

• Local and state government organizations and private institutions provide specific grants for nursing research, supporting studies in patient care, nursing education, and health policy.

• Seeking healthcare organizations can strengthen partnerships with academic institutions to foster research initiatives.

• Discussion with nursing associations, healthcare system foundations, medical device manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies while advocating for increased investment in research, highlighting its impact on healthcare quality.

• Seek funding from healthcare industry partners or explore philanthropic organizations focused on healthcare.

• Explore academic-healthcare partnerships to develop collaborations between nursing schools, hospitals, and research centers to foster research initiatives and tackle real-world challenges.

• Form research consortia with multiple institutions, develop public-private partnerships, and create academic-clinical practice collaborations.

• Leverage electronic health records and data science techniques to conduct research more efficiently and identify patterns in existing datasets.

• Document and communicate research impact while building coalitions with other healthcare stakeholders.

Conclusion

Now is the time to start or continue exploring opportunity that may help you to continue in your research program Yes, financial cuts for nursing research can create a ripple effect, ultimately affecting quality of patient care, evidence-based practice development, nursing education advancement, and healthcare policy decisions; individual and collective action is important in establishing new relationships to continue to advance what has begun and examine new frontiers of opportunity.

Nursing research has been instrumental in shaping the practice of nursing and improving patient outcomes, nationally and globally. Nursing research efforts need to continue to address the challenges and opportunities in healthcare. In this way, nursing will ensure that we remain dynamic, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of patients and communities worldwide.

References

1.     Bush,E, Bendix A, and Chow D. February 18, 2025, NBC News. Science under siege: Trump cuts threaten to undermine decades of research. Trump's NIH budget cuts threaten ‘entire fields of research,’ stirring panic among scientists

2.     Fuller, D & Mitchell, P. March 28, 2025. Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short- federal support is essential to medical breakthroughs. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/cuts-to-science-research-funding-cut-american-lives-short-federal-support-is-essential-for-medical-breakthroughs-252150

3.     Kozlov M & Nature Magazine. April 1, 2025. NIH Director removes four main scientists amid massive staff purge. Science American. NIH Director Removes Four Main Scientists amid Massive Staff Purge | Scientific American

4.     Advisory Board. Feb 12, 2025. How NIH funding cuts will impact hospitals and universities. https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2025/02/12/nih-cuts

5.      Schnall, R. (2020). National Institute of Health (NIH) funding patterns in Schools of Nursing: Who is funding nursing science research and who is conducting research at Schools of Nursing? Journal of professional nursing, 36(1), 34-41. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2019.07.003. National Institute of Health (NIH) Funding Patterns in Schools of Nursing: Who is funding nursing science research?

6.     National Institute for Nursing Research. What we do. What We Do | National Institute of Nursing Research

7.     Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; National Academy of Medicine; Committee on the Future of Nursing 2020–2030; Flaubert JL, Le Menestrel S, Williams DR, et al., editors. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2021 May 11. 11, The Future of Nursing: Recommendations and Research Priorities. Available from: The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 - NCBI Bookshelf