AACN Continuing Professional Development Scholarships
Before You Apply
AACN is offering you an incredible opportunity to learn and enhance your career. If you aren’t yet a member, consider all the other benefits of joining our community of exceptional acute and critical care nurses. Visit the membership page.
It’s the opportunity to realize your dreams of continued growth. Although there are many opportunities to apply for a research grant, very few organizations offer scholarships as a membership benefit.
You need to develop a personalized learning plan that links a knowledge gap to your requested activity and address several questions, including how the opportunity will help you achieve your learning goals. Please apply three to four months in advance, so we have sufficient time to process your request.
Upcoming Event
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Oct 20, 2015
Scholarships
Financial Support for Pre-licensure Nursing Students
Sep 15, 2026
Application Guidelines
As you prepare to apply for an AACN Continuing Professional Development Scholarship, please read the following guidelines. Scholarships are available exclusively to AACN members (AACN staff and board members are not eligible).
Eligible Activities
The scholarship program funds educational and professional development opportunities that address an identified knowledge gap; opportunities include:
- Professional conferences, workshops, classes and learning activities to develop skills such as:
- Healthy Work Environment standards
- Evidence-based practice and leadership development
- Personal growth and communications
- Professional clinical certifications (including AACN). AACN certification preparation, association dues and sponsored programs are not eligible.
- An academic scholarship request must be associated with a specific course rather than a degree program.
Funding
Scholarship applicants may request up to $3,000 per person per year; partial funding may be awarded based on documentation. Funds are sent directly to the scholarship recipient.
Certain scholarships are considered taxable income, unless you have different qualifications based on IRS regulations, or your facility is paying for your activity. AACN files Form 1099-MISC with the IRS for approved funding.
In the application, you must provide a budget with specific dollar amounts for the activity and associated expenses, including travel-related expenses. The maximum allowance for travel-related expenses is $1,000 (including airfare, transportation, and hotel accommodations). When processing funding requests, AACN will prioritize educational costs, while travel-related expenses are considered secondary.
Awarded funds need to be returned to AACN if the activity is not completed within three months of scholarship receipt, except in the event of extenuating circumstances.
Timeline
You may apply year-round, but please submit your application three or four months before the requested activity to allow AACN adequate review time. Application submissions are reviewed and selected twice per year.
Post Learning Activity
If you are awarded a scholarship, you must provide documentation showing your participation in the educational activity, such as conference registration, a transcript of the course or proof of enrollment. You also need to provide supporting documentation for travel-related expenses.
In addition, you must complete an evaluation documenting your experience and how it helped you achieve your goals. You will receive an evaluation form by email after your activity concludes.
Please note: Your name and scholarship information may be included in promotional materials for AACN's scholarship program.
Questions?
Send an email to scholarships@aacn.org and a representative will contact you. Thank you!