Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state has invested over $485 million in nursing programs since 2022 through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) and Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) initiatives. These funds are intended to strengthen nursing education by providing scholarships, supporting faculty recruitment, funding equipment purchases, and enhancing simulation centers across Florida.
The governor recently awarded more than $20 million in new LINE funding. Of this amount, $14.5 million will go to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions while $6 million is allocated to state universities. Since its inception, the LINE program has distributed more than $85 million: $61.5 million to state colleges and private postsecondary institutions and $24 million to State University System (SUS) institutions. The PIPELINE program has provided a total of $400 million—$240 million directed at state colleges and school districts, with the remaining $160 million going 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.”
The LINE program operates as a matching grant that encourages collaboration between educational institutions and health care providers. It offers scholarships for eligible students based on residency requirements for tuition purposes; it also supports faculty recruitment efforts; finances equipment purchases; and improves simulation centers for advanced nurse training. Additional details about the LINE program can be found on the Florida Department of Education website.
