Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state has invested over $485 million in nursing education since 2022 through two major programs, the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) and Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE). These initiatives are designed to strengthen nursing programs by providing scholarships, supporting faculty recruitment, purchasing equipment, and enhancing simulation centers across Florida.
Governor DeSantis 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 will be distributed to state universities. Since its inception, the LINE program has provided more than $85 million in funding—$61.5 million directed to state colleges and private institutions and $24 million to State University System (SUS) schools. The PIPELINE program has distributed a total of $400 million, with $240 million allocated to state colleges and school districts and $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.”
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas commented on the importance of these investments: “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 also highlighted the impact: “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 that encourages partnerships between educational institutions and health care providers. It provides scholarships for eligible students based on residency requirements for tuition purposes while also supporting faculty recruitment, equipment purchases, and improvements in simulation centers. Additional details about the LINE program are available on the Florida Department of Education website.
