The Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute (CNSI) promotes the scientific mission of NACNS by providing grant funding opportunities.
Scholarships
The Katie Brush Critical Care CNS Scholarship
The Katie Brush Critical Care CNS Scholarship fund is named after an NACNS board member and strong CNS advocate who suddenly passed in 2007. Kathryn (Katie) Brush was a critical care clinical nurse specialist for over 10 years at Massachusetts General in Boston, MA.
This scholarship will award up to $2,000 to Critical Care CNS students and is awarded by the National Association of Critical Care Nurses in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute.
Application period: June 15 – August 31, 2026
Winners notified: November 2026
The Theresa Murray Clinical Nurse Specialist Scholarship for Quality & Safety, Clinical Excellence, and Professional Development
This scholarship is named after one of NACNS’s founding members and a Past President who was an influential and beloved part of the nursing community.
The Theresa Murray CNS Scholarship awards up to $2,000 to students enrolled in an entry-level CNS program or CNSs enrolled in doctoral or post-master’s certificate programs to be applied towards academic program expenses or NACNS Annual Conference expenses.
Application period: June 15 – August 31, 2026
Winners notified: November 2026
Grants
CNSI Brenda Lyon Data Driven Grant
Focus: Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, Research, Outcomes, Program Evaluation
Applications are open to NACNS members serving as facilitators, mentors, or leaders on development and/or implementation of data-driven projects (< $1,500) that contribute to nursing knowledge and improve care quality. We encourage all participants to disseminate their results at the NACNS Annual Conference and publish in the Clinical Nurse Specialist: The International Journal for Advanced Nursing.
Application period: June 15, 2026 – August 31, 2026
Winners notified: November 2026
Travel Grants
CNSI is now accepting applications for NACNS members who present a podium or poster presentation that helps to advocate and showcase the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role and highlights innovations and outcomes at conferences either in collaboration with a nurse leader/executive or at conferences whose audience is primarily Non-CNS nurse leaders. Some examples of those leadership conferences include: American Association of Nurse Leaders, Magnet/Pathway to Excellence, American Hospital Association, American Association of College of Nurses, etc.
Grant amount: Up to $750
Eligible presentations: Local, regional, or national conferences (within the past 6 months)
Application periods:
• June 15 – August 31 — Winners notified November