Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state has invested more than $485 million in nursing programs since 2022. The funding comes from two initiatives: the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) and the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) programs. These funds aim to support scholarships for students, recruit additional faculty, purchase equipment, and enhance simulation centers across Florida.
Governor DeSantis recently awarded over $20 million in LINE funding, with $14.5 million going to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions and $6 million to state universities. To date, more than $85 million has been distributed through the LINE program—$61.5 million to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions and $24 million to State University System (SUS) institutions. The PIPELINE program has allocated $400 million overall: $240 million to state colleges and school districts and $160 million to SUS institutions.
“Today, I was proud to award more than $20 million in LINE funding with $14.5 million awarded to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions, as well as $6 million to state universities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida is investing at scale to expand nursing programs and strengthen the healthcare workforce. Since launching the LINE and PIPELINE programs in 2022, Florida has invested more than $485 million in nursing education.”
“Governor DeSantis has made nursing education a top priority in Florida, recognizing the critical role nurses play in keeping our communities healthy and safe,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Through strategic investments like the LINE and PIPELINE programs, we are supporting the next generation of nurses by expanding opportunity to high-quality education and ensuring Florida’s healthcare workforce is prepared to meet growing demand.”
“Florida’s continued investment in nursing education demonstrates our state’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare workforce and expanding opportunities for students across the State University System,” said SUS Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “The LINE and PIPELINE programs deliver real results and empower institutions to recruit talented faculty, enhance professional training, and graduate highly skilled nurses prepared to meet the needs of communities statewide.”
The LINE program operates as a competitive matching grant that encourages partnerships between educational institutions and health care providers throughout Florida. It provides scholarships for eligible students based on residency requirements for tuition purposes while also helping schools recruit faculty members, buy equipment, and improve simulation centers used for nurse training.
More information about these grants—including details on participating institutions—can be found at https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/funding-opportunities/linefund/.
