American Nurses Foundation Announces New $10,000 Microgrants for Research on AI and Innovation in Nursing
In partnership with Hippocratic AI, a request for rapid proposals is now open for three microgrants to be awarded to nurse-led research teams
SILVER SPRING, MD – November 11, 2025 – Today, the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) announced a rapid request for proposals support Nurse-Led Solutions Using AI and Innovation. Up to three microgrants valued at $10,000 each will be awarded to nurse-led teams who can explore the connection between AI and nursing and discover new nurse-led solutions to issues impacting nurses using AI. These microgrants are funded through a generous partnership with Hippocratic AI, a global leader and pioneer in generative AI healthcare agents, that is committed to quality healthcare and nurse empowerment that improve patient outcomes.
This microgrant opportunity is designed as part of a larger initiative to strengthen nurse leadership and innovation with a focus on early-career nurses. In addition to funding nurse-led projects, this grant is intended to nurture catalysts for healthcare transformation through leadership development and peer learning. Both ANF and Hippocratic AI believe nurses are critical decision-makers and are uniquely positioned as leaders in the age of AI who are capable of developing innovative solutions for nurses by nurses.
“At Hippocratic AI, we believe the future of healthcare innovation must be shaped by nurses, who are the clinicians that best understand the realities of patient care,” said Amy McCarthy, Chief Nursing Officer at Hippocratic AI. “Our partnership with the American Nurses Foundation reflects our shared commitment to empowering nurses as leaders in AI adoption. Through these microgrants, we’re helping nurses turn their ideas into action, funding projects that demonstrate how AI can safely and meaningfully improve care delivery, reduce burden, and advance the profession.”
Nurses at all career stages are encouraged to apply for these microgrants, but particular consideration will be given to clinical bedside nurses with at least 3-5 years of nursing practice experience and the ability to partner with a C-suite nurse leader to apply lessons learned. Some of the priority areas of interest include exploring the use of AI agents and application before a patient procedure, nurse-friendly AI tools and interactions, and strategies to increase use of AI in nursing and reducing skepticism. Proposals must also align with microgrant goals and indicate clear and feasible implementation.
“We are very grateful to Hippocratic AI for their generous partnership with the American Nurses Foundation to launch this microgrant opportunity dedicated to harnessing the power of nurse-led solutions,” said Graig Eastin, Executive Director of the American Nurses Foundation. “We’re seeking proposals that don’t just imagine what might be possible but demonstrate how nurse-led solutions can transform patient care and improve the health of communities. We look forward to receiving bold, thoughtful, and actionable proposals that turn ideas into evidence, and evidence into impact.”
All application responses are due on February 17, 2026 @ 4pm EST via ANF’s online Submission Portal, and notification of grantees are expected in April. An informational call for prospective applicants will be held on November 19 at 4pm EST. No registration is required. To participate in this informational call and learn more about eligibility and other application requirements, please dial in via this link: AI Microgrant RFP Informational Call
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American Nurses Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Foundation inspires change and innovation by harnessing The Power of Nurses™ through strategic, nurse-led philanthropy. With its 501(c)(3) status, the foundation mobilizes critical resources to fund innovative research and support initiatives that advance nursing practice, education, and leadership. By forging intentional partnerships and providing targeted grants, the foundation empowers nurses to drive change within healthcare systems and communities. This commitment ensures that nurse-led solutions remain at the forefront of efforts to enhance care delivery and patient outcomes. https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/
Hippocratic AI
Hippocratic AI has developed a safety-focused Large Language Model (LLM) for healthcare. The company believes that a safe LLM can dramatically improve healthcare accessibility and health outcomes in the world by bringing deep healthcare expertise to every human. No other technology has the potential to have this level of global impact on health. The company was co-founded by CEO Munjal Shah, alongside a group of physicians, hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, and artificial intelligence researchers from El Camino Health, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Microsoft, Google, and NVIDIA. Hippocratic AI has received a total of $278 million in funding and is backed by leading investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, Kleiner Perkins, NVIDIA’s NVentures, Premji Invest, SV Angel, and six health systems. For more information on Hippocratic AI visit hippocraticai.com. Media Contact is Rick Keating 917.767.2400 Press@hippocraticai.com.