Gov. Abbott Announces $5.6 Million in Nursing Education Grants

AUSTIN, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that more than $5.6 million in grants has been awarded to Texas colleges and universities through the Nursing Innovation Grant Program to expand nursing education and strengthen the state's healthcare workforce.

The grants will support new and expanded nursing education projects, including innovative prelicensure programs designed to increase the number of qualified nurses entering the workforce.

“Texas builds the healthcare workforce of tomorrow with strategic investments in nursing education,” Abbott said. “These grants fund innovative programs that prepare more nurses for service in communities across the state. A robust pipeline of well-trained nurses strengthens patient care across Texas and delivers the skilled professionals our communities need.”

Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser said the program supports efforts to increase access to quality healthcare by strengthening nursing education.

“Providing quality healthcare and increasing access to care require a strong infrastructure of education for nurses and other medical professionals,” Rosser said. “Grants from the NIGP contribute to that framework by encouraging and funding new approaches and flexibility in existing programs.”

The grants may be used to develop competency-based nursing curricula, expand clinical training sites and preceptors, create new nursing education pathways and support stackable credentials ranging from nursing aide certificates to bachelor's degrees in nursing.

The Nursing Innovation Grant Program was created by Gov. Abbott and the Texas Legislature in 2023, with additional funding approved in 2025. The program is administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Funding for the 2026-28 grant cycle begins Sept. 1, 2026, and runs through Aug. 31, 2028.

Grant recipients include:

• San Antonio College (Alamo Community College District) — $748,736
• Austin Community College — $750,000
• Sam Houston State University — $750,000
• Tarrant County College — $735,134
• Texas Woman's University — $749,977
• University of Houston — $750,000
• The University of Texas at Austin — $459,840