The USF Health College of Nursing will strengthen partnerships with leading healthcare organizations across the region after receiving approval for matching grants from the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund, a state program that incentivizes collaboration in order to meet the demand for nurses.
The College of Nursing will receive $642,143 in state funding for the 2026-27 academic year, matched dollar for dollar by area healthcare partners, bringing the total investment to nearly $1.3 million. The Florida Board of Governors approved the funding match in September.
The funding will support student scholarships, student success coaching, certification costs, and other strategic initiatives designed to support nursing students and help address workforce needs across Florida.
Established by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, the LINE program is a competitive grant initiative that provides dollar-for-dollar matching funds to institutions partnering with healthcare providers.
This year’s LINE funding partners, including their contribution to the program, are:
· Tampa General Hospital: $500,000
· Moffitt Cancer Center: $50,000
· Empath Health: $25,000
· Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital: $25,000
· Sunshine Health: $25,000
· Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital: $17,143
When our healthcare partners and the state of Florida invest in nursing education, they are investing in the future of healthcare. I’ve seen firsthand the difference this program makes for our students, opening doors and expanding opportunities as they prepare to become the nurses our communities need. We are deeply grateful to our healthcare partners and the state for their shared commitment to our students.
Usha Menon, dean of the College of Nursing and senior associate vice president of USF Health
The College of Nursing continues to find ways to address the need for nurses across Florida, including a recent building expansion and the launch of a new freshmen nursing pathway at the USF St. Petersburg campus. The USF Health College of Nursing graduates the most new nurses of any institution in Florida.