Scholarships - Leadership Lab: Leadership Development for Nurse Leaders

The AONL Foundation — thanks to the generosity of our donors — is proud to offer scholarships to support participation in the AONL Leadership Lab: Leadership Development for Nurse Managers program. This six-month program has been identified as one of the most impactful for strengthening the skills of new nurse managers. Designed specifically for leaders in nurse manager roles, this program provides a unique and valuable opportunity to build confidence, enhance leadership capabilities, and to identify best practices in managing through shared leadership issues.
 

• Applicant must be an AONL member. 
• Applicant has support of leadership in their own organization for release time to attend all program sessions.
• Demonstrates financial need.
• May not be current AHA, AONL, or the AONL Foundation board members.
• Scholarships administered by the AONL Foundation may only be awarded to individuals within the United States of America and its territories.
• Priority will be given to small, rural, critical access, or other small non-profit, government or public health care organizations along the care continuum.

Organizational classification will be determined using the following sources:

• "Small” - as defined by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Bed size Categories: www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/db/vars/hosp_bedsize/nisnote.jsp
• "Rural” - if any one of the following criteria is met:
  • Listing in Rural Health Information Hub's "Am I Rural” toowww.ruralhealthinfo.org/am-i-rural
  • Qualifies for either the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Clinics Program or the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's Grants Programs.
  • Has a United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 10.
  • Has a United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service Rural-Urban Continuum Code (RUCC) of 4 or greater.
• "Critical access” - if appearing on the Flex Monitoring Team's listing: www.flexmonitoring.org/data/critical-access-hospital-locations
• Other "small non-profit, government or public health care organization along the care continuum” such as:
  Schools (for a school nurse).
  • Long term care organizations.
  • Home health care and hospice organizations.
  • Skilled nursing facilities.
    
     

Applications will be evaluated by members of the AONL Foundation, Scholarship Member-Led Group. The application package will consist of:

• Biographical information for the applicant.
• Resume.
• Application with information relevant for consideration.
• Signed letter of recommendation from immediate supervisor that speaks to the following: 
  • Must indicate available financial support, if any, from the organization and need for financial assistance
  • Include a statement agreeing to the requirements and expectations of the scholarship. 
  • Provide information on the applicant’s commitment to program attendance.
  • Specify how the program will benefit the applicant’s professional growth and leadership development.
  • **: Important** Please be aware, the letters of recommendation and support from the applicant's supervisor detailing need for financial support carries significant weight in the evaluation process.
     

• Must attend >85% of the program.
• Provide a written report on the individual’s experience of the program and the personal/professional/organizational impact of the program within 30 days of completion.
• Provide a professional photograph.
• Allow the Foundation to use information in the report in promotional materials.
• If attending the annual AONL Inspiring Leaders Conference:
  • Support the AONL Foundation Exhibit Booth.
  • Attend the AONL Foundation Annual Fundraiser and events, as schedule allows.
     

Applications Open:                                       Sept. 25, 2026
Deadline for Scholarship Applications:         Dec. 4, 2026
Notification to Scholarship Recipients:         Jan. 11, 2027
Program Dates:                                            Feb 11 – July 22, 2027
 

For more information and questions, please contact the AONL Foundation at AONLfoundation@aha.org. 
 

About Leadership Lab: Leadership Development for Nurse Leaders

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