Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund
2022-2023 Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund has been moved to the Archives
Senate Bill 2524 (2022) established a competitive grant opportunity for districts, Florida College System (FCS) institutions, and independent nonprofit colleges and universities in Florida. Section (s.) 1009.8962, Florida Statutes (F.S.) was created to incentivize collaboration between nursing education programs and health care partners to combat the growing nursing shortage in the state.
This program, titled the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund, provides matching funds, on a dollar-to-dollar basis, to participating agencies that partner with health care providers as defined in s. 768.38(2), F.S. The 2023 General Appropriations Act provided $19 million for the LINE Fund for the following institutions:
- Florida College System institutions under s. 1000.21(3), F.S.
- School district postsecondary technical career centers under s. 1001.44, F.S.
- Charter technical career centers under s. 1002.34, F.S.
- Independent nonprofit colleges or universities located and chartered in this state and accredited by an agency or association that is recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education to grant baccalaureate degrees.
Additionally, all eligible applicants must also meet performance metrics set forth in s. 1009.896, F.S., including:
- For a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, data supporting a completion rate of at least 70 percent for the prior year.
- For a licensed practical nurse, associate of science in nursing, and bachelor of science in nursing program (pre-licensure), data supporting a first-time passage rate on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination of at least 70 percent for the prior year.
Funds may be used to award scholarships to students who meet the residency for tuition purposes requirements, recruit additional faculty, purchase equipment, and support simulation centers to advance high-quality nursing education programs throughout the state. Funds may not be used for the construction of new buildings.
2023-2024 Request for Proposal
- DFC Memorandum: 2023-24 (LINE) Fund Grant Program RFP (PDF)
- LINE Fund Request for Proposal (PDF)
- LINE Fund Notice of Intent-to-Apply (PDF)
- DOE101S, Budget Narrative (Excel)
- DOE 100A, Project Application Form (PDF)
- Proposal Narrative Section (Word)
- Health Care Partner Certification Form (PDF)
- Project Performance Accountability Form (PDF)
- LINE Fund Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
2023-2024 Awards
Key Dates
- June 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) - FDOE hosted a workshop for proposed rule amendments to Rule 6A-10.0352, Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund.
- November 16, 2023 – FDOE releases Notification of Funding Opportunity.
- November 17, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) – FDOE hosted a webinar to provide information on the Request for Proposal.
- December 8, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT) - Deadline to submit Notice of Intent to Apply.
- A completed Notice of Intent-to-Apply must be submitted via email to LINE_Fund@fldoe.org.
- January 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT) – Deadline to submit completed proposal to be considered for a LINE Fund award.
- Eligible applicants must submit all required proposal documents via the Florida Department of Education ShareFile. Once an agency submits a Notice of Intent-to-Apply, they will be granted access to the ShareFile account.
Resources
Questions regarding the program may be directed to LINE_Fund@fldoe.org.