Nursing Scholarships

Two cancer research grant programs support investigators at different career stages. Research Scholar Grants offer funding up to $215,000 per year for independent researchers starting their careers. Postdoctoral Fellowships provide stipends and allowances to early-stage researchers pursuing cancer research training.

Research Scholar Grants

• Amount: Up to $215,000 per year (direct costs) plus 10% indirect costs, for up to 4 years
• Who can apply: Independent investigators at US academic institutions or eligible nonprofits, with less than 10 years as independent faculty and no more than one R01-equivalent grant
• Deadline: June 1 and December 1
• How to apply: Submit proposals via ProposalCentral about 3 months before deadlines; grant proposals are investigator-initiated across the cancer research continuum
• Must have institutional support (space, resources) for independent research

Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Amount: Progressive stipends of $66,000 (year 1), $68,000 (year 2), and $70,000 (year 3) plus $4,000 yearly fellowship allowance and $1,500 travel allowance in the final year
• Who can apply: Postdoctoral researchers at US institutions within 4 years of their terminal doctorate, in a postdoctoral position (not faculty or staff scientist)
• Deadline: June 1 and December 1
• How to apply: Submit applications through ProposalCentral; fellowships last up to 3 years depending on time since degree
• Paid parental leave available for up to 12 weeks, with stipend continuation and term extension

Both grants support cancer research careers, with deadlines twice a year. Check eligibility carefully to apply for the right opportunity.

This $1,500 scholarship helps licensed occupational and environmental health nurses improve their leadership skills and expertise by attending the 2026 AAOHN National Conference. You can use the funds for conference registration, travel, and related expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Licensed nurse actively working in occupational and environmental health nursing
• Current AAOHN member for at least one full year
• Not a current AAOHN Foundation or AAOHN Board member, nor a relative of one

Application Process: Submit an application including a narrative of up to 500 words covering your career goals, skill development, financial need, and commitment to education. You also need to provide a letter of support from your employer or supervisor, a resume showing experience in the field, and the completed application form. Email all materials by December 1.

Deadline: December 1

Additional Information: Recipients must submit a certificate of completion and a short report (up to 500 words) after attending the conference. The report should explain how the education helped improve worker health and safety. Reports are due by May 1. You cannot apply for this scholarship the following year but may reapply up to two more times in later years if you complete the requirements successfully.

This $2,500 award supports registered nurses or nurse practitioners who have earned their board certification in occupational health nursing and are active members of AAOHN. The scholarship helps cover costs related to certification, AAOHN membership, and attending the AAOHN National Conference.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a licensed registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP)
• Be a current member of AAOHN
• Have passed the ABOHN board certification exam for COHN or COHN-S for the first time within the last five years
• Have attended at least one AAOHN National Conference (in-person or virtual)

Application Process: Submit a complete application by email, including two endorsement letters (one from a nurse colleague and one from your supervisor), proof of certification and membership, proof of conference attendance, and a narrative addressing specific questions about your professional journey, commitment, and conference experience.

Deadline: December 1

Additional Information: The narrative should be no longer than four double-spaced pages and may be published by AAOHN. Recipients cannot reapply in future years or apply for other scholarships the following year. Selection is based on a 100-point scoring system covering your journey to certification, professional commitment, and conference impact.

New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program aims to ease the nation’s nursing shortage by attracting new students into the profession of nursing while enhancing efforts to recruit students from underrepresented groups in nursing. Besides scholarship funding, this program also provides valuable support to students as they transition from other fields of study into nursing.

Five $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to underrepresented students. Underrepresented is defined by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as ethnicity, gender, and/or financial need. Applications must be submitted to the SSON scholarship coordinator by December 21. 

For more information contact Sherri Ulbrich, PhD, RN ([email protected]) or Cheryl Bausler, PhD, RN ([email protected]).

Two scholarships are available through The American Legion for military families and high school students interested in government and citizenship. The American Legacy Scholarship offers financial help for college students who lost a parent on active military duty, while the High School Oratorical Scholarship rewards excellence in a constitutional speech contest, with awards up to $25,000. Deadlines and contest dates vary throughout the school year.

American Legacy Scholarship

• Amount: Depends on income from the trust; recipients may reapply
• Who can apply: Children or legally adopted children of U.S. active duty, Guard, or Reserve military personnel who died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001; must be high school seniors or graduates planning to attend college in the U.S.
• Deadline: Not specified (contact for application)
• How to apply: Request an application from The American Legion
• Additional requirements: For undergraduate study only; scholarship funds are meant to help bridge a financial gap in survivor’s benefits

High School Oratorical Scholarship Program

• Amount: From $50 in area contests to $25,000 for national first-place winner
• Who can apply: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents under age 20 enrolled in grades 9-12 or junior high; must reside or attend school in the state of competition
• Deadline: Local contests by December 7; final national contest in mid-February (state) and May (national)
• How to apply: Enter at local American Legion posts or contact Department Headquarters at 800-365-8387
• Additional requirements: Contestants deliver speeches on the U.S. Constitution, including a prepared oration and assigned topic discourse; only one department contest allowed per contestant; national finalists cannot compete again

Applicants to this scholarship must be  high school senior who is a citizen of the United States and they must advance through local, district and state competitions to reach national judging.

There will be 20 finalists. These 20 finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive awards of $20,000. 480 runner ups will receive $4,000.

The Hal and Jo Cohen Graduate Nursing Faculty Scholarship (Graduate Nursing Faculty Scholarship) is provided by the Nurse Support Program (NSP II) aiming to expand the pool of nurses in the State by increasing the capacity of nursing schools in Maryland.

The Touchmark Foundation awards scholarships to support students pursuing degrees in nursing. The Foundation specially focuses on student applicants pursuing geriatric nursing studies. In addition, the Foundation is supporting a special effort to increase the number of nurses available to teach tomorrow’s nurses. 

The Touchmark Foundation awards scholarships to assist students pursuing degrees in nursing. The Foundation places particular emphasis on student applicants pursuing geriatric nursing studies. 

The Higher Education Administers three (3) grant programs for students pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. 

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps offers scholarship to students interested in pursuing Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN). The scholarship is available only at a university affiliated with the NROTC and provides a state approved or National League of Nursing (NLN) approved bachelor's degree program in nursing.

The American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award Program was started by The National Society in 1927 to give students of American Indian descent the opportunity to pursue careers in nursing.

Eligible students receive $1,000 per semester and the money is to be used strictly for tuition, books or for fees applicable to the student’s approved program and must be 

• 1/4 American Indian, enrolled in a tribe.
• A high school graduate or have equivalent education
• Enrolled in an accredited school
• Enrolled in the nursing program
• Maintaining the scholastic average required by the school
• Not receiving an Indian Health Service Scholarship 
• In need of financial assistance

The purpose  of this grant is to encourage nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Allocation of funds is based on the quality of the proposed research, the future promise of the applicant, and the applicant's research budget. 

Preference will be given to Sigma Theta Tau members, other qualifications being equal. Annual funding is provided by Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing.

Eligible candidate 

•  must be registered nurse with current license
•  Have a master's or doctoral degree or be enrolled in a doctoral program
•  must submit a completed research application package and signed research agreement
•  must be ready to implement research project when funding is received
•  must complete project within one (1) year of funding.

The purpose of this grant is to encourage the research career development of clinically based nurses through support of clinically oriented research. Allocation of funds is based on a research project ready for implementation, the quality of the proposed research, the future potential of the applicant. Funds for this biennial grant are provided by interest from the Virginia Henderson Clinical Research Endowment Fund.

Eligible candidates 

• must be a registered nurse with current license
• must actively involved in some aspect of health care delivery, education or research in a clinical setting
• must have a master's or doctoral degree or be enrolled in a doctoral program
• must be ready to implement research project when funding is received
• must be member of Sigma Theta Tau International
• must complete project within one (1) year of funding

The purpose of this grant is to support nursing research in the critical areas of women's health, oncology, and pediatrics. Funds provided by interest from a gift from The Harry L. Crisp, II and Rosemary Berkel Crisp Foundation to the honor society's Research Endowment.

Eligible candidates 

• must be registered nurse with current license
• must be member of Sigma Theta Tau International
• must have a master's or doctoral degree or be enrolled in a doctoral program
• must be ready to implement research project when funding is received
• must complete project within one (1) year of funding

The purpose of this grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Funds for this grant are provided jointly by Sigma Theta Tau International and Western Institute of Nursing.

Eligibility Criteria

• Registered nurse with current license
• Have a master's degree, and/or be enrolled in a doctoral program
• Submit a completed research application via online submission system
• Ready to implement research project when funding is received
• Complete project within one (1) year of funding
• Be a member of Western Institute of Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau Internationa

This scholarship is for first year nursing students and offered (1) $250.00 Fall scholarship and (1) $250.00 Spring scholarship for 1st year semester RN students and (1) $250.00 Fall semester and (1) Spring semester scholarship for PN students. Eligibility requirements 

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Write a 200 word essay on "Why I Want To Be A Nurse".
• Submit School Name, Address, and Phone Number, Graduation Date

The purpose of the scholarship is to support a registered nurse interested in improving cancer care by developing their personal knowledge as a result of attending the ONS Congress and sharing this new knowledge with others.