2026 APPLICATION PROCESS WILL OPEN in APRIL
Stand by!
When the application process is open, you will start or continue your application from this link:
The Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario is a leading provider of financial support for Ontario nurses and nursing students enrolled in academic programs. In 2024, the Board expanded the vision of RNFOO’s role by introducing a second award stream that will further advance nursing and healthcare in Ontario. This new collection of awards, known as Nurses in Practice (NIP), focuses on nurses currently practising. The application process for these awards opens in the Spring; the Academic Awards process will continue to open in the late Fall.
Much of the impetus for this new collection of awards came from the windup of the 5-year Nurse Innovator Award initiative. The RNFOO Board of Directors recognized early on that the important work of supporting nursing innovation and encouraging practicing nurses must continue. Thanks to the incredible support for, interest in, and contributions from a number of dedicated supporters, the program will not only continue but will also embrace additional award streams.
The Nurses in Practice awards are made up of 3 distinct streams. Please read the details for each of these streams below. The dates for the applications will be announced in early Spring, 2026.
Legacy Award
In 2022 RNFOO celebrated 50 years of support for nurses and nursing students. Out of the celebrations of that milestone, and in recognition of the heavy toll the COVID-19 pandemic had on the health and morale of the nursing community, came the idea that nursing practice is enhanced and can be further advanced through mentor relationships.
The RNFOO Legacy Award is funded by individual donors and a significant gift from the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario in 2022. Each year, the RNFOO Legacy Awards will recognize up to 3 individuals who have made significant contributions to the nursing community through their mentorship of nurses.
Candidates for these awards must be nominated by at least 2 people. Nominations must be submitted on the provided form.
COMPLETE THE NOMINATIONNursing Innovation Grant
The RNFOO Nursing Innovation Grant is a follow-up program to the RNFOO Nurse Innovator Award which was designed and built to enable, encourage, support and celebrate nursing innovation.
Through support from some of the NIA funders and a very generous donation received from the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO), the Board was able to designate funding for this important work for 2 years. It is hoped that further funding will be found to support NIG after this year.
Learn details of the application process for the Nursing Innovation Grant.
Applicants must upload a budget and a timeline to the application. Please use the templates provided here:
Download the Budget Template.
Download the Timeline Template.
Special Interest Awards
Awards in this category are focused on specific areas of nursing. Many are supported by other organizations, and address specific areas of nursing practice. These awards include:
- Diabetes Nursing: DNIG Special Projects in Diabetes
- Mental Health Nursing: MHNIG Special Project Awards
- Nurse Practitioners: Lynn Kirkwood Research Award
- Palliative Care Nursing: Dr. Christine Newman Memorial Award supported by PCNIG
- Registered Practical Nurses: Post-PN Program Award
Other groups interested in sponsoring an award should contact the RNFOO Office.
Click here for details about the application process for the special interest awards.
Click here for details about the Lynn Kirkwood Research Award.
