ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Celebrates Florida’s $485 Million Investment in Nursing Programs

January 20, 2026

Governor's Press Office 850-717-9282 [email protected]

Governor Ron DeSantis Celebrates Florida's $485 Million Investment in Nursing Programs

Tallahassee, Fla.- Today, Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated Florida's continued investment in high quality nursing programs with more than $485 million awarded through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) and the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) programs since their inception in 2022. LINE and PIPELINE funding strengthen nursing programs across Florida by providing scholarships to students, supporting the recruitment of additional faculty, funding the purchase of equipment and enhancing simulation centers.

Governor DeSantis also awarded over $20 million in LINE funding, $14.5 million to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions and $6 million to state universities. More than $85 million has been awarded through the LINE program, with $61.5 million to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions, and $24 million to State University System (SUS) institutions. In addition, the PIPELINE program has awarded $400 million, with $240 million to state colleges and school districts, and $160 million to SUS institutions.

"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," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "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."

"Governor DeSantis has made nursing education a top priority in Florida, recognizing the critical role nurses play in keeping our communities healthy and safe," said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. "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."

"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," said SUS Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. "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."

About LINE

The LINE program is a competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant that supports partnerships between participating educational institutions and health care providers. The LINE program provides scholarships for students who meet residency requirements for tuition purposes, supports the recruitment of additional faculty, funds the purchase of equipment and enhances simulation centers to advance high-quality nursing education. For more information about LINE and a list of FDOE's awarded institutions, visit https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/funding-opportunities/linefund/.