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: 2026

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 FY25.

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

Accepting Applications

To be considered for a FY26 NSRP grant award, eligible applicants must submit a Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI) on or before 11:59 p.m. CT on January 5, 2025. THECB will not review or consider any application unless a complete NOI has been submitted and approved by THECB staff.

Click on the link below and review the information outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA).

Application Information

• FY 2026 Request for Applications
• A Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI) is required to apply for the FY26 NSRP Grant Program Cycle. Each Applicant must submit the following form on or before 11:59PM CT, January 5, 2025.
  • Notice of Intent to Apply Form
• All NOI and Application submissions must be complete by the deadline, inclusive of required signatures, acknowledgments, required attachments, etc. Incomplete and late submittals will not be considered for an award.
• An Eligible Applicant may submit a maximum of one (1) Application through an authorized representative of the applicant entity.
• Evidence of Leadership Commitment is required along with the Application by the deadline.
• All applications must be submitted through the agency’s grant management system (GMS).

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 established by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001 through Senate Bill 572. The Legislature 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 creation, the program has focused on providing grants to Texas public and independent institutions of higher education with nursing programs. These grants support institutions as they expand capacity and increase the number of highly trained nursing professionals entering the workforce.

Grant Cycle

Additional Notes

If you need copies of any NSRP forms or templates, please contact us using the email provided below.