Foundation - OADN

The 2025 call for scholarship, award, and grant applications is now closed. Please check back in early 2026 for more information on next year’s call.

OADN Foundation Mission

The OADN Foundation promotes the mission and vision of OADN, through the development of resources, the recognition of scholarship and excellence in associate degree nursing education, and the support of advocacy for associate degree nursing.

OADN Foundation Goals

Collaboration

Support associate degree nursing education’s responsiveness to current health care needs and best practices in nursing education.

Education

Provide recognition of excellence in teaching and research in associate degree nursing education.

Inclusivity

Provide scholarships to support preparation of associate degree faculty and students.

Leadership

Promote the development of nurse leaders in associate degree nursing education.

Advocacy

Support OADN in advocating for associate degree nursing education.

Applications & Resources

The 2025 call for scholarship, award, and grant applications is now open. Please note that application due dates vary.

Awards

Bobbie Anderson Leadership Award
Non-monetary award
Due date: May 15, 2025

Donna Meyer Visionary Impact Award
Non-monetary award
Due date: May 15, 2025

Elsevier Educator of The Year
2025 Funding: One award of $1,500
Due date: May 15, 2025

NurseThink New Educator Award
2025 Funding: One award of $1,000
Due date: May 15, 2025

Faculty Scholarships

Level Up RN Educator Scholarship
2025 Funding: $1,000 plus a complete Level Up RN Ultimate Nursing School Survival Kit (valued at $469.95), one-year Level Up RN Membership (valued at $99), and Flashables (valued at $199)
Due date: May 15, 2025

NurseThink Nurse Educator Scholarship
2025 Funding: One scholarship of $1,000
Due date: May 15, 2025

OADN Foundation Educator Scholarship for Academic Progression
2025 Funding: One scholarship of $2,500
Due date: April 30, 2025

Trajecsys Leadership Institute Scholarships: Awardees chosen based on OADN Leadership Institute Application Process. Contact Karen.LaMartina@OADN.org for more information.

Student Scholarships

Students, please use your nursing program’s OADN membership number for these scholarship applications.

AACN Student Scholarship for Critical-Care Practice
sponsored by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
2025 Funding: Sixteen scholarship of $2,500 each
Due date: June 1, 2025

Alpha Delta Nu Student Scholarship for Leadership and Service
funded by the Illinois Organization for Associate Degree Nursing
2025 Funding: One scholarship of $1,000
Due date: May 15, 2025

Level Up RN Student Scholarship
2025 Funding: One scholarship of $1,000 plus a complete Level Up RN Ultimate Nursing School Survival Kit (valued at $469.95), one-year Level Up RN Membership (valued at $99), and Flashables (valued at $199)
Due date: April 30, 2025

NurseThink LPN Transition Scholarship
2025 Funding: One scholarship of $1,000
Due date: April 30, 2025

OADN Foundation Student Scholarship for Allied Health Careerists in Nursing
2025 Funding: One scholarship of $1,500
Due date: April 30, 2025

Grant Applications

i-Human Patients Simulation Advancement Grant
sponsored by Kaplan North America
2025 Funding: One award of $2,000
Due date: May 15, 2025

OADN Foundation Research Grant
2025 Funding: One award of $5,000
Due date: May 15, 2025

OADN Foundation Board

PRESIDENT: Donna Meyer MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN – San Diego, California

VICE PRESIDENT: Christy Dryer, DNP, RN, CNE – Vice-President of Academic Programs, Cecil College – North East, Maryland

TREASURER: Donna Spivey, RN, DNP – Director, HESI Content Operations, ELSEVIER | Nursing and Health Education – Houston, Texas

SECRETARY: Kimberly J. Harper MS, RN, FAAN – Chief Executive Officer Emeritus, Indiana Center for Nursing – Indianapolis, Indiana

DIRECTOR: Tom Cucuel – Wilmington, North Carolina

DIRECTOR: Monique Davis PhD, MSN, RN – Dean of Instruction, Health Sciences & Director of Nursing, Montgomery College – Takoma Park, Maryland

DIRECTOR: Elaine Foster Ph.D. – Vice President of Nursing, Educational Affiliates – Niles, Michigan

DIRECTOR: Cara Heinrich, BSHS, R.T., (R)(M) (ARRT) – Director, Business Development, Trajecsys – Henniker, New Hampshire

DIRECTOR: Andy Mendelson – VP Sales and Account Management, Archer Review – Sewell, New Jersey

DIRECTOR: Tonya Taylor, MSN, RN, MBA – Nurse Educator – Mount Pleasant, Texas

DIRECTOR: Sandra Y. Walker EJD, MS, RN, FAADN – Newark, Ohio

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTOR: OADN Chief Executive Officer – Rick García Ph.D., RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FAADN – Washington, DC

Latest News

Apply for OADN Foundation Scholarships, Awards, and Grants in 2025

The OADN Foundation Board of Directors announces the annual call for applications for the 2025 OADN Foundation Scholarships, Awards, and Grants. These prestigious opportunities provide significant benefits to OADN members, supporting faculty and students in their professional growth and educational advancement. The OADN Foundation remains committed to advancing the mission and vision of OADN by fostering [...]

Read the article

Testimonials

Sincerely,
Marie Wold

Pursuing my nursing education requires dedication, perseverance, and a desire to serve others. Being the recipient of the Castle Branch Student Scholarship for Academic Progression in Nursing has greatly aided the financial obligations associated with furthering my education and becoming a practical nurse. Your scholarship has allowed me to devote time to my studies and focus on those I am caring for. Thank you for blessing me with this scholarship. I truly appreciate your generosity and support for those entering the nursing profession.

With Gratitude,
Kristin E. Davies, MSN, RN-BC, CNE
PhD candidate
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Montgomery County Community College

I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to the OADN Foundation & OADN for awarding me the CastleBranch Educator Scholarship for Academic Progression. The education of associate degree nurses has long been a passion of mine as both my roots and my mother's roots in nursing started in associate degree programs. Through my PhD courses, I have gained the knowledge and tools to help in advancing nursing science. My hope that my dissertation will do this not only for nursing, but for the entirety of associate degree nursing education.

Christine Heid, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE
Nursing Education Consultant and Registered Nurse
ATI Nursing Education and Avita Health System

Though it is difficult to put into words what OADN's support has meant to me and my research team, I have done my best to express our sentiments in hopes that it will help others understand the importance of this grant to advance associate degree nursing. Receiving the 2020 OADN Foundation Research Grant shows a commitment to nursing education that celebrates and empowers students and faculty to embrace change through innovation for the benefit of those we serve. This grant provided a catalyst for the investigation and re-imagination of the clinical teaching and learning experience for both faculty and students to enhance development of clinical judgment skills and improve the outcomes of patients, families, and communities as graduates transition to practice. Recognition of this work tells us we are not alone in these efforts and echoes the importance of this work for associate degree nursing and our stakeholders.