Applications are now open for the 2026 NFW Grant or QI Projects
Click Here to Apply

Purpose:

The Nurses Foundation of Wisconsin supports nursing research and quality improvement projects that increase knowledge about health and the promotion of health over the full lifespan, care of persons with health problems and disabilities, enhancement of the ability of individuals to respond effectively to actual or potential health problems, and evidence-based strategies that support the work life of the nurse.

The NFW Board of Directors has earmarked $10,000 to support nursing educational scholarships and research and quality improvement grants. Award amounts will vary depending on project or study. Money to fund the scholarship is obtained through donations to NFW.

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm September 21, 2026.

Qualifications:

  1. Licensed as a registered nurse in Wisconsin. (License Number required).
  2. Member of the American Nurses Association/Wisconsin Nurses Association. To locate membership number go to: https://www.nursingworld.org/membership/
  3. Not have received NFW funding in the three (3) previous years.
  4. Adhere to the NFW Research or Quality Improvement Grant Award Submission Guidelines (length/format)

Process:

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm  September 21, 2026

  1. Applications are reviewed and selected for recommendations by the NFW Scholarship and Grant Committee.
  2. The selected applicants are submitted to the NFW Board of Directors for approval and determine award amount at their October meeting
  3. Award recipients will be notified of selection no later than November 1, 2026. The awardee(s) names will be announced at the January 16, 2027 virtual WNA Annual Meeting. Awardees are asked to be present.

Information on Eligibility Criteria and Materials Needed for Research Grand Application

Eligibility Criteria:

The Principal Investigator (PI) or Project Lead applying for this funding must:

  1. Hold a current Wisconsin Registered Nurse license.
  2. Be a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA).
  3. Have not received funding from the Nurses Foundation of Wisconsin (NFW) within the previous three years.
  4. Follow all grant submission requirements regarding format, length, and deadlines.
  5. The topic or area of interest has not been previously funded or fully implemented.

Selection Criteria:

The Research/Quality Improvement Project Grant Award recipients will be selected through NFW’s Scholarship /Grant Committee using the National Institute of Health as applied to Nursing Science criteria (Source:  Summary of 2026 National Institute of Nursing Research) which is as follows:

Significance:

  • Does the study address an important health problem or gap in knowledge?
  • Will the findings advance nursing science, improve patient outcomes, influence health care delivery, or inform health policy?
  • Does the project have the potential to improve clinical practice or population health?

Investigator:

  • Are the principal investigator and research team qualified to conduct the study?
  • Do they have the necessary expertise, experience, and record of accomplishment?
  • If multiple investigators are involved, is the team appropriately structured and collaborative?

Innovation:

  • Does the project introduce novel concepts, methods, interventions, or technologies?
  • Does it challenge existing paradigms or offer new approaches to solving health problems?
  • Is there potential to advance nursing science in a meaningful way?

Approach:

  • Is the research design rigorous and feasible?
  • Are the methods, measures, analyses, and implementation plans appropriate?
  • Have potential limitations and risks been identified and addressed?
  • Are plans for rigor, reproducibility, and transparency adequate?

Environment:

  • Does the institution provide adequate support, resources, facilities, and infrastructure?
  • Will the scientific environment contribute to the project’s success?
  • Are there appropriate partnerships, clinical sites, or community collaborations?

Procedure and Needed Materials for Application

Prepare Application with the following information:

  1. Title Page including title of project, PI or Project Lead, list of collaborating colleague(s) investigators, department and/or school and contact information including ANA/WNA membership ID number, address, phone number and e-mail.
  2. Abstract (Limit 250 words)
  3. Current Curriculum Vitae or Resumé
  4. Letter of Reference If the applicant is a student, a signed letter of reference from the major professor. If project is part of the investigator’s workplace, a signed letter of endorsement from the appropriate leader is included. 
  5. Brief Project Description (not to exceed 5 pages, single space, 1” margins, 12 font type)
  6. Statement of the problem/purpose and or PICOT question
  7. Specific aims/research questions
  8. Significance of the research/project
  9. Brief review of background literature including current state of the science in this area, including hypotheses and/or theoretical/conceptual framework as appropriate.  Research or project design and methods (describe subject selection with human subjects’ protection, data collection, research or project procedures and or /measures, and outcomes analysis plan). The methods must be congruent with the purpose and conceptual basis for the study.
  10. Appendices (not included in 5- page limit)
  11. All data collection tools.
  12. Selected reference list in APA 7th edition format

Proposed Budget and justification including (not included in 5- page limit)

  1. A specific breakdown of projected costs.
  2. The availability of in-kind matching funds/grants.
  3. Has the grant application(s) been submitted for consideration or have grants been received for the proposed study from other funding source(s). Is the funding below the amount needed to conduct study?

Note: This NFW Research or Quality Improvement Grant award cannot be used to pay indirect costs.

Timetable for completion of the project (limit 1- page) (not included in 5- page limit. Include IRB status if appropriate.

Other important information related to Grant/Quality Improvement Project Award if approved.

  1. Monetary award is made out to applicant.
  2. Recipients are expected to submit a financial report within 90 days of the end of the one-year period.
  3. Recipients are expected to present their findings at a pre-determined WNA sponsored event (Conference, webinar, other.).
  4. Any publications resulting from the research project must acknowledge: “Funded in part by the Nurses Foundation of Wisconsin”.

Please direct any questions to Bri Clayton, WNA Membership & Events Coordinator, bri@wisconsinnurses.org