Implementation Status
Prior to January 2013, related programs were funded, as noted by the CFDA report (re: Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) grants – see here).
2013
On January 10, 2013 (and subsequently revised on February 22, 2013), HRSA announced the availability of grants under the NWD program. Technical assistance (FAQs, etc.) is available here. Applications were due March 8, 2013.
On December 3, 2013, HHS announced the solicitation of applications under the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Program (HRSA-14-069) for which applications were due January 24, 2014. On December 5, HHS announced the award of $55.5 million to support 270 grants in FY13 to enhance workforce training/development and address professional shortage areas. Grants awarded – a detailed listing by state are available here – are intended to bolster the nursing, public health, behavioral health, and dental workforce, with the vast majority of the total funding ($45.4 million) allotted to nursing workforce development. $5.2 million was allotted to nursing diversity programs. Additional details follow and are also available here.
On December 30, 2013, the NIH announced three funding opportunities to enhance workforce diversity research. Details here.
On a related note, on Mar. 17, HRSA issued a notice updating income levels pertaining to the definition of “low-income family” for “determining eligibility for programs that provide health professions and nursing training to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
2016
On July 20, HRSA provided $4.5 million to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented among registered nurses.
Statutory Text
SEC. 5404. WORKFORCE DIVERSITY GRANTS. Section 821 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296m) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may’’; (B) by striking ‘‘pre-entry preparation, and retention activities’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘stipends for diploma or associate degree nurses to enter a bridge or degree completion program, student scholarships or stipends for accelerated nursing degree programs, pre-entry preparation, advanced education preparation, and retention activities’’; and (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking ‘‘First’’ and all that follows through ‘‘including the’’ and inserting ‘‘National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice and consult with nursing associations including the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations,’’; and (B) by inserting before the period the following: ‘‘, and other organizations determined appropriate by the Secretary’’.