Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship

The purpose of the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) program is to increase the supply and distribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who are well prepared and well positioned to practice independently and collaboratively withi

The purpose of the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) program is to increase the supply and distribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who are well prepared and well positioned to practice independently and collaboratively within interprofessional teams and to deliver evidence-based, high quality, and safe anesthesia and pain management services. The program aims to expand access to anesthesia services, especially to rural, urban, and tribal underserved communities nationwide. Eligible grant award recipients are accredited institutions that educate registered nurses to become nurse anesthetists; recipient institutions, in turn, disburse funds to students in the form of traineeship support.

Eligible applicants include accredited schools of nursing, nursing centers, academic health centers, state or local governments, and other public or private nonprofit entities determined appropriate by the Secretary. Domestic community-based organizations, Tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply, if otherwise eligible. Individuals and foreign entities are not eligible applicants under this NOFO. Applicants must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs at the time of application, and for the duration of the award. In addition to the 50 states, eligible applicants from the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau may apply.

A trainee receiving support from grant funds under this program must be a citizen, non-citizen national of the United States, an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States, or any other "qualified alien" under section 431(b) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-193, as amended. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to participate. To be eligible for NAT traineeship support, the student/trainee must meet all of the following: be a licensed registered nurse (RN), be eligible to work in the United States, be enrolled full-time in an accredited course of study leading to a graduate degree in nurse anesthesia and be eligible to sit for the national certification examination to become a CRNA upon program completion, and maintain the predetermined academic standards of the recipient institution.

NAT Traineeship funds may only be used for traineeship support, with the exception of Indirect Costs at 8 percent of modified total direct costs rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement and are not subject to upward or downward adjustment.

NAT Traineeship funds may only be used for traineeship support, with the exception of Indirect Costs at 8 percent of modified total direct costs rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement and are not subject to upward or downward adjustment. NAT Traineeship funds may only be used to cover full or partial costs of tuition and fees, cost for books, and other reasonable living expenses (such as stipends). NAT Traineeship funds may only be used to cover full or partial costs of tuition and fees, cost for books, and other reasonable living expenses (such as stipends). NAT Traineeship support must not exceed a maximum of $30,000 (with a minimum amount of $1,000) per eligible trainee per year.

This funding opportunity provides support for a four-year project period.

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

The NAT Program is a formula-based program. HRSA has procedures for assessing the technical merit of applications and to assist applicants in understanding the standards against which their application will be reviewed. HRSA will review each application for completeness and eligibility, inclusion of all required documents, and compliance with the requirements outlined in this NOFO. The NAT Program funds are distributed among eligible entities as formula-payment based awards according to data supplied in the application on the ANE Program Specific Data Form. HRSA will calculate NAT award amounts based on the following: number of students enrolled in master and doctoral programs, total number of graduates employed in rural, underserved and state/local health department settings (Funding Preference), and total number of graduates employed in HPSAs (Special Consideration).

The funds appropriated for the NAT Program are distributed among eligible institutions based on a formula. Notification of award is made in writing (electronic) through a Notice of Award.

Approximately from 120 to 180 days after receipt of applications.

Depending on Agency priorities and availability of funding, during the final budget year of the approved project period competing continuation applications may be solicited from interested applicants.