Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026

The Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026 creates a federal grant program to help nursing schools address faculty shortages by supplementing salaries. Nursing schools applying for grants must submit detailed salary data comparing clinical nurse pay to current faculty pay (adjusted for inflation), then receive funding to cover the difference for eligible faculty - those who previously worked in clinical practice or are new hires. Grants last up to three years ($15 million annually from 2027-2031) and require schools to maintain the salary supplement level throughout the grant period. Priority is given to schools in health professional shortage areas, serving vulnerable populations, or focusing on underrepresented faculty. The program requires schools to demonstrate plans for sustaining salary support after the grant ends.