Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has highlighted the state’s ongoing investment in nursing education, announcing that more than $485 million has been allocated to support nursing programs since 2022. The funding comes through two initiatives: the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) and the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) programs.
As part of this effort, Governor DeSantis awarded over $20 million in new LINE funding. Of this amount, $14.5 million was distributed to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions, while $6 million went to state universities. Since its inception, the LINE program has provided more than $85 million in total awards—$61.5 million to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions and $24 million to State University System (SUS) institutions. The PIPELINE program has contributed an additional $400 million, with $240 million directed to state colleges and school districts and $160 million to SUS institutions.
Governor DeSantis stated: “Today, I was proud to award more than $20 million in LINE funding with $14.5 million awarded to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions, as well as $6 million to state universities. Florida is investing at scale to expand nursing programs and strengthen the healthcare workforce. Since launching the LINE and PIPELINE programs in 2022, Florida has invested more than $485 million in nursing education.”
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas commented: “Governor DeSantis has made nursing education a top priority in Florida, recognizing the critical role nurses play in keeping our communities healthy and safe. Through strategic investments like the LINE and PIPELINE programs, we are supporting the next generation of nurses by expanding opportunity to high-quality education and ensuring Florida’s healthcare workforce is prepared to meet growing demand.”
State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues added: “Florida’s continued investment in nursing education demonstrates our state’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare workforce and expanding opportunities for students across the State University System. The LINE and PIPELINE programs deliver real results and empower institutions to recruit talented faculty, enhance professional training, and graduate highly skilled nurses prepared to meet the needs of communities statewide.”
The LINE program operates as a competitive matching grant initiative designed to foster partnerships between educational institutions and health care providers. It offers scholarships for eligible students based on residency requirements for tuition purposes, supports hiring additional faculty members, funds equipment purchases, and improves simulation centers used for training nurses.
Further details about the LINE program—including a list of participating institutions—are available from the Florida Department of Education.
