Nursing Shortage Reduction Program (NSRP)

Intent

The primary purpose of the Nursing Shortage Reduction Program (NSRP) is to enhance the capacity of nursing education programs in Texas to enroll, retain, and graduate more nursing students. This initiative is a vital part of addressing the ongoing nursing shortage in the state, ensuring the availability of skilled nurses to meet public health needs.

Eligibility

Grant Cycle: 2025 – 2027

Texas institutions of higher education are eligible to apply for a NSRP grant if they meet the following criteria:

• Must be a public or private institution of higher education, as defined by Texas Education Code, §61.003.
• Must have a professional nursing program* that is approved by and in good standing with the Texas Board of Nursing.
• Must submit the required data, including enrollments and graduates, in the THECB CBM Reporting System.

*Professional Nursing program means an educational program offered by a public or private institution of higher education for preparing students for initial licensure as registered nurses. Vocational Nursing programs are not eligible.

New Professional Nursing programs are eligible if they graduated their first nursing class in FY24.

Funding may only be used on necessary and reasonable costs exclusively related to:

• Enrolling additional nursing students
• Evidenced-based practices in the recruitment and retention of students
• Identifying, developing, or implementing innovative or evidenced-based practices to make effective and efficient use of professional nursing program faculty, instructional or clinical space, or other necessary resources including:
  • Regional shared services, courses, personnel, facilities, and responsibilities among two or more professional nursing programs
  • Employing or contracting with preceptors or part-time faculty to provide clinical instruction to accommodate increased student enrollment
• Education, recruitment, or retention of professional nursing program faculty

Note: Eligibility and allowable expenditures vary by grant cycle.

How to Apply

Application Closed.

Application Information

Consult the NSRP 2025 – 2027 Request for Application (RFA) for criteria regarding permitted projects and expenditures.

Reminders:

1. Initial RN licensure programs receiving NSRP funding must comply with all Texas Board of Nursing regulations and, for accredited nursing programs, must adhere to the accrediting agencies’ requirements.
2. An Eligible Applicant may submit a maximum of one (1) Application.
   
3. Evidence of Leadership Commitment is required along with the Application by the deadline.
4. The Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative template will be sent out with the Notice of Grant Award and is not required with the Application.

Important Dates

Rules and Regulations

IMPORTANT:
The NSRP Rules & Regulations for Grant Cycles beginning prior to 2025 are available in the Grant Cycles information below.

Impact

The Nursing Shortage Reduction Program was first authorized by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001. The authorizing legislation, Senate Bill 572, found that, “Texas is experiencing a significant shortage in the registered nurses it needs,” and that, “it is necessary to increase the number of registered nurses in the state to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.”

Since its inception, the NSRP has aimed to provide grants to Texas public and independent institutions of higher education with nursing programs, helping them expand their capacity to train more nursing professionals.

Grant Cycle

Additional Notes

Please contact us if you need copies of any NSRP forms and templates.