Nurse Researcher of the Year Award Nominations

Do you know a nurse researcher whose work is transforming nursing leadership and health systems science? Nominate a colleague who is shaping the future of nursing leadership through research. 

The AONL Foundation Nurse Researcher Award honors individuals who exemplify excellence in original, methodologically rigorous, and impactful research. We seek nominees who set the bar for research excellence. Their work demonstrates—or shows strong potential to demonstrate—far-reaching influence through:

• Scholarly contributions and citations.
• Influence on policy or clinical practice.
• Measurable benefits to communities and society.

Ideal nominees conduct research aligned with the AONL Foundation’s 2025–2027 strategic priorities, advancing nursing leadership and driving meaningful healthcare transformation.

Nominees also demonstrate excellence in leadership and collaboration by:

• Cultivating a supportive research environment.
• Mentoring staff nurses, practice leaders, and early-career researchers.
• Securing research funding to sustain ongoing work.
• Actively disseminating findings through presentations, publications, community outreach, and accessible science communication.

See previous award recipients.

• Must be a full AONL member in good standing.
• Demonstrates interest in assisting AONL in its objectives, mission, vision and strategic plan. 
• Exhibits significant talent and skill as a nurse researcher and is a role model to other nurse leaders.
• Sitting members of the AONL Foundation and AONL Board of Directors are not eligible. 
• Sitting members of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Directors are not eligible.
• AONL and AHA staff are not eligible. 

Nominators must provide a brief narrative describing how the nominee’s work has impacted the field at the micro, meso, and macro levels.

Nominator should complete the form and provide the following additional documentation:

• Nominee’s curriculum vitae (CV).
• Brief biography (300 words maximum).
• Reference list of key manuscripts related to nominee’s program of research.
• Highlight internal and external financial support of nominee’s work.

• Recognized in the nursing and interdisciplinary community as a nurse researcher.
• Ideal nominees have a program of research that supports AONL Foundation and AONL's research and strategic priorities.
• Narrative:
  • Nominator should provide a brief narrative of how the nominee’s work has impacted the field and influenced the nominator.
• Letters of recommendation:
  • Two letters of recommendation, with at least one being from a peer nurse researcher, both of whom have knowledge of the nominee’s contributions to quality of research and scholarly activities.
• Impact in the nominee's area of research and scholarship.
• Manuscripts (a minimum of 2) representing nominee's nursing leadership and translational impact.
• Provide H-index.
• Citations in Nursing Leadership Publications.
  
   

• Submissions Open: Oct. 19, 2026
• Submission Deadline:  Nov. 6, 2026
• Award Presentation at AONL Inspiring Leaders Conference, Phoenix, AZ on Apr. 12-15, 2027