What you’ll learn in this article…
- Maryland awarded UMSON $6.03 million for clinical instructor and leader training.
- The Nurse Support Program II funds 400+ preceptors via the Maryland Clinical Preceptor Academy.
- These grants target a projected 19% RN shortage in Maryland by 2030.
In July 2026, six University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty members were awarded a combined $6.03 million through the Nurse Support Program II (NSPII). Funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by MHEC, the five grants target clinical instructor preparation, nurse leadership development, preceptor training, and enrollment expansion. This is not a one-time allocation: it is a strategic response to Maryland's projected shortfall of nearly 20% of needed RNs by 2030. When state dollars flow directly into nursing education infrastructure, the bottleneck shifts from insufficient funding to insufficient clinical placement capacity and qualified faculty.
Maryland's $6 Million Investment in Nursing Education: What Happened
In July 2026, six faculty members at the University of Maryland School of Nursing received $6.03 million in Nurse Support Program II grants to expand clinical instructor preparation, leadership training, and preceptor development. This investment is a concrete example of how state grant programs are targeting the nursing faculty shortage by building education capacity.
Understanding the Nurse Support Program II
The Nurse Support Program II (NSPII) is a Maryland initiative funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Its purpose is to strengthen the state's nursing workforce by funding projects that grow the number of nurse educators, clinical placements, and leadership pipelines. The recent UMSON awards are one piece of a broader, multiyear effort that touches community colleges, public universities, and health care partners across the state.
Where to Find the Full Scope of Maryland's Nursing Grants
Because grant announcements often appear in scattered locations, piecing together the complete picture requires checking several sources. Below are the most reliable pathways for nurse educators who want to track the full investment.
- MHEC's official website: The commission typically publishes press releases, board meeting minutes, and periodic reports that list all NSPII-funded projects, including award amounts and project summaries. Searching the site for "Nurse Support Program II" or "NSPII" can surface official documents.
- Nursing program web pages and financial aid offices: Individual institutions that host nursing programs, both community colleges and universities, will often announce their own grant awards. Contacting a school's grants office or nursing department directly can yield details on project themes such as enrollment expansion or new faculty initiatives.
- Professional nursing associations: Organizations like the Maryland Nurses Association or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing sometimes compile aggregate data on state-level education funding. Their websites or newsletters may highlight trends and provide summaries of recent awards.
- State budget transparency portals: Maryland's Open Budget tool allows the public to track appropriations. By searching for keywords like "nursing workforce" or "Nurse Support Program," you can locate line items that show how funding flows to different institutions.
Because grant details can be fragmented across these channels, combining information from multiple sources gives the most accurate and comprehensive view. This is especially useful for educators who want to identify potential collaborators or areas where future funding opportunities may arise.
What the Investment Means for Nurse Educators
Even without an exhaustive list of every NSPII award, the $6 million directed to UMSON signals a clear commitment to expanding nursing education infrastructure. For clinical instructors, leadership fellows, and preceptors, this translates into concrete resources: more training slots, stipends, and mentoring programs. For faculty and aspiring educators, building clinical partnerships in nursing education can guide joint grant proposals and reveal emerging job openings tied to funded projects.
How the Nurse Support Program II Works for Faculty and Educators
Maryland is restructuring how it funds nursing education: moving from a patchwork of small scholarships to a coordinated, institution-level investment strategy. At the heart of this shift is the Nurse Support Program II (NSPII), a competitive grant pipeline that channels money directly to nursing schools, where it fuels faculty development, preceptor training, and leadership academies. For nurse educators, understanding how this mechanism works opens doors to new career support that you may not even realize you're eligible for.
Where the Money Comes From: The HSCRC-MHEC Pipeline
NSPII dollars originate from a unique funding source: the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC). Through hospital rate-setting, HSCRC collects funds earmarked for healthcare workforce development. Those funds then flow to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), which administers NSPII as competitive grants. Importantly, nursing schools apply, not individual nurses. So while you won't fill out a personal NSPII application, the programs your school wins can directly cover your clinical instructor training, doctoral tuition, or leadership fellowship.
NSPII vs. NSPI: Which One Fits You?
Many nurses confuse NSPII with the original Nurse Support Program (NSPI). Here's the quick distinction: NSPI provides scholarships and living-expense stipends directly to students pursuing nursing degrees. NSPII, on the other hand, awards multi-year grants to institutions for projects that strengthen the nursing education pipeline, like expanding enrollment capacity, prepping clinical faculty, or building preceptor academies. If you're a current student needing tuition help, NSPI is your lane. If you're a practicing nurse who wants to teach or mentor, NSPII is where your employer's opportunities likely live.
How Institutional Grants Become Individual Opportunities
You might wonder: "If my school gets a grant, what does that mean for me?" The answer is concrete. When a university secures NSPII funding for clinical instructor preparation, it creates free or low-cost training slots that you can access through your school's HR or continuing education office. The same goes for preceptor academies; the Maryland Clinical Preceptor Academy, for example, will prepare over 400 preceptors at multiple institutions. Leadership fellowships like the Nurse Leadership Institute 3.0 recruit 200 fellows and 200 mentors from across the state. And doctoral support grants can defray tuition for nurses pursuing PhDs or DNPs who commit to teaching. Essentially, these grants open seats in programs that already exist or will launch soon, you just need to be at a participating school.
Who Can Benefit? Any Nurse Educator at a Maryland Nursing School
The recent $6 million round went to the University of Maryland School of Nursing, but NSPII's reach is far wider. MHEC accepts proposals from all nurse educator programs in Maryland, and about 13 institutions participate. If you're a faculty member or clinical instructor at any of these schools, keep an eye on internal announcements. Your dean may already be applying for grants that will fund your next career step, a trend that reflects the broader nurse educator shortage driving state investment across the country. And if you're a nurse at a hospital that partners with a nursing school, ask about adjunct teaching pathways that tap into these funds.
Breakdown of the Six Funded Projects and What They Mean for You
Maryland's Nurse Support Program II awarded $6.03 million to six faculty projects at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Below are four of the funded initiatives that directly expand clinical education capacity, leadership training, and preceptor support.
| Project Name | Principal Investigator | Award Amount | Duration | Goal / Who Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparing Clinical Nurse Faculty Across Maryland | Susan L. Bindon | $894,124 | 5 years | Prepare 525 clinical instructors |
| Nurse Leadership Institute 3.0 | Lynn Marie Elizabeth Bullock | $1,756,581 | 5 years | Train 200+ fellows and 200 mentors in nurse leadership |
| Expansion of Enrollment Post-COVID | Lori Edwards | $1,165,289 | 5 years | Increase nursing enrollment and clinical education infrastructure |
| Supporting and Retaining Undergraduate Nursing Preceptors | Linda J. Hickman | $1,100,329 | 3 years | Prepare 400+ preceptors |
Complete List of Maryland Grants and Scholarships for Nursing Professionals
Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG)
Maryland's Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant supports current full-time nursing faculty who are enrolled in a doctoral program or who recently completed their doctorate (within the 2025-2026 academic year). This grant, administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission through the Nurse Support Program II, offers awards ranging from $5,000 to $60,000.1 In return, recipients commit to one year of full-time Maryland nursing faculty service for each year of funding received. The application deadline is typically September 30. This is a key opportunity for educators advancing their qualifications while strengthening the state's academic nursing workforce. If you are weighing the cost of a terminal degree, exploring affordable DNP programs can help you make the most of any grant funding you receive.
Nurse Support Program I (NSP I) Student Grants
The Nurse Support Program I provides direct financial assistance to prelicensure RN students in Maryland. These grants are available to students enrolled in ADN or BSN programs who secure sponsorship from a participating Maryland hospital.2 In exchange for funding, graduates agree to a service obligation of one to three years working as an RN at the sponsoring facility. The program is administered through the partnership of nursing schools and hospitals, meaning you apply directly through your school's financial aid office if your institution participates.
- Living Expenses Grant: A companion to the NSP I Student Grant, this award helps cover living costs for students with demonstrated financial need. The service obligation aligns with the standard NSP I employment commitment, and eligibility is tied to enrollment in an NSP I-participating program.
Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG) Nursing Tracks
The WSSAG program offers grants to Maryland residents who are enrolled at least half-time in a nursing program at an approved Maryland institution and demonstrate financial need.3 Recipients must fulfill a year-for-year service or employment obligation in the nursing field within Maryland after graduation. If the obligation is not met, the grant converts to a loan that must be repaid. Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, this grant helps address critical workforce shortages by incentivizing service in the state.
Nurse Support Program II Institutional Grants
While not awarded directly to individuals, Nurse Support Program II institutional grants are worth noting because they fund capacity-building projects at Maryland nursing schools. In FY26, $17.2 million was allocated to nursing programs for initiatives like faculty development and enrollment expansion.4 These grants create more educational opportunities and resources that ultimately benefit nursing professionals and students across the state.
How to Apply for Maryland Nursing Grants: Eligibility, Deadlines, and Tips
Maryland's recent $6.03 million investment in nursing workforce development was distributed through the Nurse Support Program II, but individual nurses access state funding via two other MHEC-administered programs: the Nurse Support Program I (NSPI) and the Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG). These are competitive, direct-to-individual awards that require careful planning.
Understanding the MHEC Grant Portal and Deadlines
Applications for NSPI and NEDG are submitted through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) online portal. The typical cycle opens in early spring (often January or February) for awards that begin in the fall semester. Exact dates vary slightly each year, so bookmark the MHEC grants page (mhec.maryland.gov) and sign up for email alerts. Required documents usually include official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining your nursing education career goals, letters of recommendation from faculty or supervisors, and a detailed plan of study. For NEDG, you must also document your enrollment or acceptance into a doctoral program in nursing education. If you are weighing program costs, reviewing affordable DNP programs for nurse educators can help you identify options that pair well with grant funding.
Service Commitments You Should Know
State grants come with strings attached, but they align with Maryland's goal of strengthening its nursing pipeline. NSPI recipients must work in a Maryland nursing role for at least two years post-graduation, though the exact period depends on the award amount and type. NEDG requires a four-year teaching commitment at a Maryland nursing school after completing your doctoral degree. If you fail to fulfill the commitment, the grant converts to a loan with repayment obligations. Read the service agreement carefully before signing.
Three Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Start early and gather documents in advance. Funds are limited and competition is strong. Transcript requests and recommendation letters can take weeks, so begin the process at least two months before the deadline.
- Contact your school's nursing grants coordinator. Many Maryland nursing schools have a dedicated staff member who can review your application, ensure you meet eligibility, and help you navigate the MHEC portal. This person also knows about institutional NSPII-funded programs you might indirectly access through your employer.
- Monitor the MHEC website for cycle updates. Deadlines can shift due to budget cycles or administrative changes. Subscribe to the commission's newsletter and follow their social media channels to avoid missing announcements.
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Maryland's Nursing Shortage by the Numbers
The nursing workforce shortage in Maryland is already severe and projected to worsen. With only 81% of required RNs expected to be available by 2030, the $6 million state grant investment aims to expand education capacity and address critical gaps.
Nursing Salaries in Maryland: What the Data Shows
Maryland's nursing salaries reflect the strong demand for healthcare professionals in the state. While the table shows median wages for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, advanced practice roles like nurse practitioners command even higher earnings, highlighting the importance of doctoral-level education grants for workforce development. Data are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
| Occupation | Employment | Mean Annual Wage | Median Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 48,980 | $96,650 | $96,830 | $81,470 | $104,840 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 9,510 | $70,700 | $69,870 | $63,750 | $75,990 |
Nursing Pay Across Maryland's Metro Areas
Maryland's nursing pay varies significantly across the state, reflecting local demand and cost of living. The table below uses 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data to compare wages for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in four key metro areas. These figures can help you understand where grant-funded education programs are targeting placement and where your earning potential may be highest.
| Metro Area | Occupation | Total Employment | Mean Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Registered Nurses | 29030 | 97130 | 81630 | 97140 | 106430 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | Registered Nurses | 2180 | 92170 | 78940 | 91370 | 100810 |
| Lexington Park, MD | Registered Nurses | 920 | 89120 | 77070 | 87960 | 97210 |
| Salisbury, MD | Registered Nurses | 1650 | 89520 | 79090 | 84930 | 106910 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 5200 | 70810 | 64050 | 68850 | 75910 |
| Lexington Park, MD | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 210 | 67960 | 62040 | 67270 | 71990 |
| Salisbury, MD | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 280 | 63020 | 49290 | 62800 | 68180 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 650 | 63800 | 56160 | 61580 | 71570 |
What These Grants Signal for the Future of Nursing Education
The Nurse Support Program II grants represent a strategic investment in Maryland's nursing education infrastructure. Below are answers to the most common questions about these grants and what they mean for nurse educators and students.
