The Dream Big Grant provides financial support for the development or expansion of:

• Healthcare-related businesses

• Nonprofit organizations

• Community health programs

• Clinical or operational innovations

• Health education initiatives

• Other projects that improve healthcare delivery or outcomes

This program is designed to support feasible, well-developed, and impact-driven solutions led by healthcare professionals.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be an active Nurses for Nurses member at the time of application and throughout the grant cycle

• Must be a nurse, licensed healthcare professional, healthcare student, or individual with relevant healthcare experience

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must propose a project that is legal, ethical, and compliant with applicable regulations

• Must have the capacity to execute or oversee the proposed initiative

The Dream Big Grant is funded exclusively through Nurses for Nurses membership revenue.

• Grant amounts are not predetermined

• Number of awards will vary per cycle

• Total funding available is determined after the application period closes

• Funding is based on membership contributions and applicant quality

This model ensures that community growth directly increases funding availability for healthcare innovation.

The Dream Big Grant is built around the nursing process—the same evidence-based framework nurses use every day to assess challenges, develop solutions, implement interventions, and evaluate outcomes.

Step 1: Assessment

Applicants will describe the healthcare issue, unmet need, opportunity, or challenge they have identified. This section should provide relevant background information, supporting evidence, and explain who is affected by the issue.

Step 2: Diagnosis

Applicants will clearly define the problem they are seeking to solve and explain why it is important to address. The diagnosis should identify the root cause of the issue and the potential impact if it remains unresolved.

Step 3: Planning

Applicants will present their proposed solution, including:

• Business, nonprofit, or program description

• Mission and vision

• Implementation strategy

• Budget and funding request

• Timeline and milestones

• Sustainability plan

• Expected outcomes and impact measures

• Potential barriers and mitigation strategies

• Personal investment and other funding sources, if applicable

Step 4: Implementation

Phase One: Application Review

Following submission, applications will be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, feasibility, sustainability, and alignment with grant objectives.

Applications selected to advance will be notified on November 2, 2026.

Phase Two: Applicant Interview

Selected applicants will participate in an interview with the review committee to further discuss their proposal, implementation plans, anticipated challenges, funding needs, and overall readiness to execute their project.

Final Selection & Grant Awards

Following completion of the interview process, final grant recipients will be selected based on:

• Strength of the identified problem

• Feasibility of the proposed solution

• Quality of planning and preparation

• Potential impact on healthcare

• Sustainability and long-term viability

• Likelihood of successful implementation

Final grant funding decisions will be announced on December 7, 2026.

Award recipients will implement their proposed project, business, nonprofit, or initiative according to their approved plan and timeline.

Step 5: Evaluation

Grant recipients agree to participate in annual evaluation and reporting activities to measure outcomes, assess impact, identify lessons learned, and demonstrate responsible stewardship of grant funds.

Evaluation findings may be used to improve future grant cycles and highlight successful healthcare innovations supported through the Dream Big Grant program.

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Clarity and relevance of the healthcare problem

• Feasibility and practicality of the proposed solution

• Strength and completeness of the implementation plan

• Alignment between requested funding and project scope

• Identification of risks and realistic mitigation strategies

• Sustainability beyond grant funding

• Potential impact on healthcare systems, patients, or communities

• Likelihood of successful execution

Preference is given to well-structured, realistic, and executable plans.