Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund
Senate Bill 2524 (2022) established a new 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 2022 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.
2022-2023 Request for Proposal
- DFC Memorandum 2022-14: Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) RFP (PDF)
- LINE Fund Notice of Intent-to-Apply (Word)
- LINE Fund Request for Proposal (PDF) Revised 9-6-22
- DOE101S, Budget Narrative (Excel)
- DOE 100A, Project Application Form (Word)
- Proposal Narrative Section (Word)
- Health Care Partner Certification Form (Word)
- Project Performance Accountability Form (PDF)
- LINE Fund Frequently Asked Questions (Word)
2022-2023 Awards
Key Dates
- June 29, 2022 at 12:45 p.m. (EDT) - FDOE hosted a rule workshop for Rule 6A-10.0352, Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund.
- August 31, 2022 – FDOE releases Notification of Funding Opportunity.
- September 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) – FDOE hosted a webinar to provide information on the Request for Proposal.
- September 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (EDT) - Deadline to submit Notice of Intent to Apply.
- October 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (EDT) – Deadline to submit completed application to be considered in the first review period.
- A completed application must be submitted via email to: LINE_Fund@fldoe.org. Of the total funds appropriated to the program, the allocations listed in RFP for each system will be reserved for applications received by this date.
- November 1, 2022 at 5:00p.m. (EDT) – Final deadline to submit a completed application to be considered for a LINE Fund grant allocation.
- A completed application must be submitted via email to: LINE_Fund@fldoe.org. Agencies that do not submit an application by this date will not be considered.
Resources
Questions regarding the program may be directed to LINE_Fund@fldoe.org.