National Institute of Nursing Research

Funds nursing science and care innovation through NINR grants, centers, and workforce routes for practical care impact.

The National Institute of Nursing Research is an NIH institute within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dedicated to nursing science. It was created by Congress in 1986 as the National Center for Nursing Research, became an institute in 1993, and is operating under acting leadership as of May 2026. Its FY2025 enacted budget was about $197.7 million.

NINR funds competitive grants for investigators at every stage, including fellowships, career development, education awards, centers, and small-business research. Its current priority areas are Optimizing Health for All, Addressing the Conditions of Daily Life, Addressing the Distribution of Health, Preventing and Managing Disease, and Advancing Systems to Optimize Care. The public portfolio includes the NINR Areas of Emphasis R01 and R21, plus Community-Partnered Nursing Research Centers with awards up to $500,000.

Applicants do best when the science connects nursing practice to measurable health outcomes, especially across care delivery, community context, and workforce development. NINR also supports training pathways and loan repayment, including up to $50,000 a year for qualified debt, which makes it relevant to nurse scientists building a long-term research career.