Colorado School Nurse Grant Program
This grant funds the hiring and retention of registered school nurses in Colorado K-12 public and charter schools to improve student health, with an emphasis on underserved and rural areas.
Funder: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3 million annually for all awards; grants typically cover the cost of hiring one or more school nurses per recipient, for up to 5 years (initial 1-year grant, renewable for 4 years).
Summary: Supports Colorado K-12 public schools and charter schools in recruiting and retaining qualified school nurses to expand student access to nursing services.
Key Information: Preference for rural, small rural, and Title I-eligible schools; funds must supplement, not supplant, existing nurse funding.
Description
The Colorado School Nurse Grant Program was created to address the shortage of qualified school nurses in Colorado’s K-12 public schools and charter schools. The program aims to improve student health and wellness by increasing access to school nursing services, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Funding is provided to eligible local education providers (LEPs) to hire and retain registered school nurses, thereby expanding comprehensive nursing services for students statewide. The program is administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Primary Care Office.
