Foundation Scholarships and Grants
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The AORN Foundation supports your professional goals and helps you maintain evidence-based knowledge and competencies. We have awarded scholarships to more than 3,000 nurses working to earn a degree, achieve advanced certification, and complete continuing nurse education.

Academic Scholarships

The AORN Foundation awards scholarships to students who are pursuing a career in perioperative nursing, and to registered nurses who are continuing their education in perioperative nursing by pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the Foundation at [email protected] (800) 755-2676.

The scholarship application for the 2026-2027 school year is closed. All candidates will be notified mid-August.

The application for the 2027-2028 school year will open January 1, 2027.

Professional Development Grants

The Foundation offers professional development grants to help nurses maintain competency and to ensure safe and high-quality care.

Application is Closed

The grant application for funding to attend the 2026 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo is closed. All candidates will be notified by the beginning of February 2026.

The application will reopen for AORN Expo 2027 in conjunction with registration for the event.

This grant application is closed. All candidates will be notified by the beginning of April 2026. 

CNOR, CSSM and CNAMB certification grants are supported by the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). Grants awarded can be used for assistance in CNOR, CSSM and CNAMB certification testing. Grants are available for new certification only.

CRNFA certification grants are supported by the National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC). These grants are for current RNFAs working in an expanded role who are committed to enhancing their skills and delivering exceptional patient care.

The Application is Now Open.

Apply for CRNFA Certification Grant

Whether you aspire to become a perioperative nurse leader or have recently stepped into your first leadership role, the AORN Foundation's Emerging Leaders Grant can help you build the skills and connections needed for success. 

Applications are now open through September 30, 2026.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the Foundation at [email protected] or (800)755-2676.

Apply for Emerging Leaders Grant

The application for the Perioperative Leadership Professional Development Grant Sponsored by Intuitive is now open through October 12, 2026.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the Foundation at [email protected] or (800) 755-2676.

Apply for Intuitive Leadership Grant

This program seeks to identify and support aspiring nurse leaders who demonstrate exceptional promise in clinical leadership, innovative thinking, and a strong commitment to advancing the field of perioperative care. Please note: All nominees must be nominated by a colleague, supervisor, or other professional peer. Self-nominations will not be accepted. To submit a nomination form, you must log into your AORN account.

Application is Closed
The application for the 2025 Linda Groah Leadership Development Grant is now closed.

All recipients have been notified.

Scholarship Supporters

We extend our sincere gratitude to our donors who make our scholarship program possible. AORN Foundation scholarships support the advancement of the perioperative profession and the next generation of nurses.

By funding these scholarships, the AORN Foundation promotes nursing education and helps prepare the next generation of perioperative nurses. For more information how to establish a named or endowed scholarship, contact the AORN Foundation at (303) 755-6300 or email [email protected].

  • 3M Health Care Endowed Scholarship
  • Barba Edwards Academic Scholarship
  • Bill Lord Endowed Scholarship
  • Brenda Ulmer Endowed Scholarship
  • Carol Tyler Endowed Scholarship
  • Chen and Yuan Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Competency & Credentialing Institute Scholarship
  • CONMED Endowed Scholarship
  • Dennis R. Scanlan, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  • E-chapter Endowed Scholarship
  • Elaine Thomson Keith Endowed Scholarship
  • George HW Bush Endowed Scholarship
  • Golden Gavel Endowed Scholarship
  • Halyard Health Endowed Scholarship
  • Jane Rothrock Endowed Scholarship
  • Joan Spear Education Endowed Scholarship
  • LA Council Endowed Scholarship
  • Maxine Darling Endowed Scholarship
  • Medtronic Endowed Scholarship
  • Michael Corley Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  • Mrs. Theresa A. (Matus) Syslo '60 Endowed Nursing Scholarship
  • Nathalie & George Walker Endowed Scholarship
  • Owens & Minor by AORN of Richmond Endowed Scholarship
  • Paula R Graling Endowed Scholarship
  • Pfister/Kneedler Endowed Scholarship
  • Ruth Shumaker Endowed Scholarship
  • San Antonio Chapter 4409 Roland “Danny” Castillo Endowed Scholarship Fund
  • Texas State Council Endowed Scholarship
  • Trish Seifert Endowed Scholarship
  • William A. Clarke Endowed Scholarship
  • Wyman and Millie Stackhouse Memorial Scholarship

  • Anita Shoup, DNP, RN, CNS-C(E), CNOR
  • Billie Fernsebner, MSN, RN
  • Brenda S. Crum, RN, MSN, CNOR
  • Carol Applegeet, MSN, RN, CNOR, FAORN, FA
  • Carol A. Tyler, RN, BS, CNOR
  • Charlotte L. Guglielmi, MA, BSN, RN, CNOR, FAORN
  • Dawn Myers Yost, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM
  • David A. Wyatt, PhD, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC
  • Deborah Spratt, MPA, BSN, RN, CNOR, NEA
  • Donna S Watson, PhD, RN, CNOR, FNP
  • Elaine A. Thomson-Keith, RN, CNORe
  • Elizabeth S. Pincus, MSN, RN, CNS-CP, CNOR
  • Ina L. Poffenbarger
  • Jane C. Rothrock, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN
  • Janet A. Lewis, MA, BSN, RN, CNOR
  • James W. Bowers, BSN, RN, CNOR,TNCC
  • Jean E. Symons, RN
  • Jeannie Botsford, RN
  • Joan H. Miller, RN, CNOR(E)
  • Kay A. Ball, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN
  • Linda K. Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN
  • Margaret H. Meeker, RN
  • Martha Stratton, MSN, MHSA, RN, CNOR
  • Missi Merlino, MHA,RN-BC,CNOR,CSSM(E)
  • Nancy B. Davis, RN, BSN
  • Nathalie Walker, MBA, RN, CNOR
  • Patricia A. Hercules, MS, BSN, RN
  • Patricia A Mews, MHA, RN, CNOR
  • Patricia C. Seifert, MSN,CNOR,FAORN,FAAN
  • Paula R. Graling, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN
  • Rosemary A. Roth, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC
  • Ruth S. Metzger, RN
  • Sharon A. McNamara, MS, BSN, RN, CNOR
  • Sheila L. Allen, BSN, RN, CNOR, CRNFA(E)
  • Sheri J. Voss, MS, RN, CNOR
  • Stephanie Davis, MSHA, RN, CNOR, CSSM
  • Vivian E. Pierce, BSN, RN, CNOR
  • William Duffy, BSN, MJ, CNOR, FAAN

  • AORN Foundation Nurse Support Academic Scholarship
  • AORN Foundation Pride Scholarship
  • AORN of Baltimore #2101 Academic Scholarship
  • AORN of Richmond Chapter Academic Scholarship
  • Barbara Garringer Memorial Scholarship
  • Cary Thomas Memorial Educational Scholarship
  • Competency & Credentialing Institute Robin Chard Scholarship
  • Competency & Credentialing Institute Steven Davidson Scholarship
  • Dan Sandel Family Foundation Scholarship
  • Golden Gavel Scholarship
  • Integra Foundation Scholarship
  • Irma Rozek Scholarship
  • Linda Groah Scholarship
  • M. Claire Plourde Massachusetts Chapter I Academic Scholarship
  • Virginia Council Academic Scholarship
  • Wiley Scholarship

AORN is dedicated to incorporating research and evidence-based practice as a foundation for perioperative nursing to provide quality patient care.