Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Newfoundland and Labrador Registered Nurses' Education and Research Trust

Role of the Newfoundland and Labrador Registered Nurses' Education and Research Trust in the funding ecosystem

The Newfoundland and Labrador Registered Nurses' Education and Research Trust is a registered charitable foundation created in 1986 to promote, support and assist basic nursing education, continuing nursing education and nursing research. Operating at arm's length from the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL), the Trust is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by its members and guided by a formal constitution.

The Trust plays a key role in strengthening the nursing workforce in Newfoundland and Labrador by providing financial assistance to nursing students and practicing nurses. Over time, growth in its membership funding base has allowed the Trust to expand its impact, moving from distributing $5,000 in scholarships in its first year to awarding more than $50,000 annually in recent years.

Funding programs and target audiences

The Trust administers a portfolio of scholarships, bursaries and research awards that support different stages of nursing education and professional development:

• Basic nursing education scholarships for students enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at the province’s schools of nursing and satellite sites.
• Graduate scholarships for members pursuing Master’s and PhD studies in nursing and related non-nursing disciplines.
• Continuing education bursaries that help registered nurses and nurse practitioners offset self-paid costs of conferences, courses and other professional development relevant to practice.
• RN re-entry and internationally educated nurse bridging scholarships for members completing re-entry or bridging programs through the Centre for Nursing Studies.
• Nursing research awards that enable nurses to conduct research in practice, education or administration settings.

Funding is allocated through regular spring and fall competitions, with detailed criteria and application guidance published on the Trust’s website.

General evaluation and award administration

Two standing committees — the Awards Committee and the Research Awards Committee — composed of volunteer CRNNL members review applications and select recipients. Applications are scored using standardized scales based on criteria such as academic ability, contribution to nursing and budget need. Processes such as blinded review and ranked scoring are used to promote fairness and transparency.

For continuing education bursaries, the Trust typically seeks to share available funds among all eligible applicants, using a sliding scale tied to self-paid costs and other confirmed funding sources. Detailed FAQs explain how award amounts are calculated, how multiple funding sources are treated and what documentation is required.

Supported communities and overall impact

Through the contributions of registered nurses, nurse practitioners and external donors, the Trust eases the financial burden of nursing education and lifelong learning. Its programs benefit undergraduate and graduate students, re-entering nurses, internationally educated nurses and practitioners engaged in research. By investing in education and evidence-based practice, the Trust contributes to the quality of nursing care and health services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.