Grants & Scholarships

To support nursing research and clinical practice efforts that contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for children and their families, the NAPNAP Foundation strives to raise money and provide opportunities for academic advancement and research in the nursing community. The result is a series of grants and scholarships that we make available to NAPNAP members. Check out our past winners.


 NOW OPEN

DNP/PhD Student Scholarship

Application Deadline: August 28, 2026

Funding Amount: $5,000 

Complete your application through our online form.

The NAPNAP Foundation DNP/PhD Student Scholarship supports the education of a pediatric-focused nurse practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD student who demonstrates the ability to articulate and implement an innovative solution through clinical competence, academic achievement, and leadership, as well as encourage involvement in NAPNAP and promote professional development of the individual student. The recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship for educational expenses.  The recipient must use the scholarship within one year of receiving the award. Any unused monies must be returned to the NAPNAP Foundation in a timely manner.

 
Qualification Criteria:

   Acceptance into or current enrollment in an accredited DNP or PhD program (a PNP/FNP enrolled in a post-master’s DNP program, a BSN to DNP program with a focus in pediatrics, or a pediatric-focused PhD program)

  Must have an expected graduation date within three years or less.

  The scholarship is selected based on academic and clinical excellence of the following:

-   Must be in good standing academically, GPA of 3.5 to 4.0 (based on 4-point system)

 

Application Requirements:  This is a self-nomination process. All applicants must submit an online application which includes:

1.       Personal statement (400 words or less) addressing the following:

a.       Explain why you enrolled in a DNP or PhD program

b.       Describe your experience in pediatrics.

c.       Describe any leadership/mentorship experience in a health care-related area 
      (professional or volunteer work)

d.       Describe an issue that you feel has significant potential to impact the future practice
     of pediatrics.

e.       Describe your planned evidence-based project or dissertation and how completion
      will impact your patients.

2.       Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume

3.       Applicants must submit three letters of support from (1) nursing colleague, (2) a faculty
     member focused in pediatrics, and (3) program director addressing the applicant’s clinical
    competence, academic achievement, leadership, and involvement in addressing pediatric
    healthcare issues.

 Responsibilities of Recipients:

1.  Recipients must provide a brief explanation of scholarship expenditures to date by December 31, 2026

2.  Recipients must provide a one-page summary on how scholarship furthered recipient’s educational goals by June 30, 2027, including details about course/clinical work, project development, etc.

 

To complete the online application: click here. You will be able to create a user ID/password that allows you to complete the application on multiple visits to the site.


All applicants will be notified by October 23, 2026. The $5,000 scholarship will be awarded by November 6. 


Questions should be directed to:  earnold@napnap.org. Past recipients are not eligible to apply.


Congratulations!

Congratulations to the following recent grant and scholarship recipients:

  • 2026 Research Grant - Valerie Toly, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN: Co-Design of a Supports and Services Information Website Intervention with Rural Residing Parents Caring for Technology-Dependent Children
  • 2026 Quality Improvement Grant - Akilah Mikel Murray, RN, MSN, FNP-BC: Increasing Access to Autism Diagnostic Evaluations by Implementing the ECHO Autism in School-Based Health Center
  • 2026 PNP Opportunity & Engagement Scholarship - Elena Raney
  • 2026 Foundation Conference Scholarships
    • Taylor Dirks, DNP, CPNP-PC
    • Mackenzie Gillway, BA, BSN, RN, CPN
    • Maribeth Hall, RN, BSN
    • Maria Mauer, RN, BSN, Pediatric DNP-PC/AC Student
    • Annie Resetar, MSN, APRN-CNP, PNP-PC
  • 2025 DNP/PhD Student Scholarship - Kathleen Maloney, AC-PNP


General Information

  • All grants and scholarships are dependent upon available funding. Some opportunities are not available every year.
  • Grants and scholarships are available for NAPNAP members only.
  • NIH style biosketch template.
  • Nursing research project grants are solicited during the late summer or early fall. Evaluations and funding typically happen in the fourth quarter of the year. Grants are typically awarded in specific health categories as announced when the application season opens.
  • Grant awardees are required to submit a closure report.
  • Academic scholarships are typically offered in the spring or summer with application evaluation and awarding of funds conducted during the summer or early fall. The application period typically lasts four weeks.

 

 Future Opportunities

NAPNAP 2027 Conference Registration Scholarship

Open Date: December 2026
Application Deadline: January 2027

Funding Amount: Varies depending on NAPNAP membership level

PNP Opportunity and Engagement Scholarship - Presented in partnership with PNCB 

Additional details to follow.

Anticipated Open Date: December 2026

Application Deadline: January 2027

Funding Amount: $3,000

Research, QI or Evidence-based Project Grant Program - Winter/Spring 2027

Application Deadline: April 2027

Funding Amount: Two grants of up to $5,000 each

The NAPNAP Foundation will offer two grants of up to $5,000 each for either General Research, Quality Improvement or Evidence-based Practice Project. Any grant awarded will be to support projects consistent with the NAPNAP Research Agenda.