Open — application cycle active; early-submission review October 8, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.; final deadline October 22, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.; HCAI does not state a time zone on the current program pageAtlas Opportunity Score 89/100
California Song-Brown Registered Nurse (RN) Education Program 2026-27
California will make up to $2.725 million available for existing, expanding and new pre-licensure RN education programs, with individual pathways supporting awards up to $1 million.
FundingUp to $2,725,000 statewide; up to $300,000 for existing RN slots, up to $300,000 for expansion slots, and up to $1,000,000 for a qualifying new pre-licensure RN program
DeadlineApplication opens September 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM; early-submission review October 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM; final deadline October 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM; HCAI does not state a time zone on the current program page
Last verifiedSeptember 27, 2026
Required next actionReview current official HCAI Song-Brown RN materials; the 2026-27 application cycle is open.
Broad Eligibility
Eligible pathways include California pre-licensure ADN, BSN and Entry-Level Master's RN education programs meeting the Song-Brown and Board of Registered Nursing requirements. Existing and expansion programs must satisfy current approval and enrollment requirements; new programs must be in the process of obtaining BRN approval and meet the additional sustainability and first-time Song-Brown requirements in the 2026 grant guide.
Atlas Analysis
High-value California nursing-workforce opportunity because it can fund existing and expansion slots at up to $300,000 per program pathway and provide up to $1 million to a qualifying new pre-licensure RN program. Atlas should prioritize programs with strong underserved-community clinical training sites, demonstrated graduate placement in shortage areas, student recruitment and support strategies, and a sustainable expansion plan.
The California Department of Health Care Access and Information opened the 2026-27 Song-Brown Registered Nurse Education Program on September 9, 2026. The program supports pre-licensure RN education programs that train nurses to serve medically underserved communities and Registered Nurse Shortage Areas.
Up to $2.725 million in state funding is available across existing, expansion and new RN education pathways. Existing programs may request up to 10 filled student slots at $30,000 each, for a maximum $300,000 award. Eligible expansion programs may request up to five new filled slots at $60,000 each, also up to $300,000. Qualifying new pre-licensure RN programs may receive up to $1 million toward costs associated with obtaining Board of Registered Nursing approval.
The application opened September 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM, with an early-submission review deadline of October 8 at 3:00 PM and a final deadline of October 22 at 3:00 PM. HCAI’s current program page and 2026-27 RN Grant Guide publish these clock times but do not identify a time zone, so Atlas does not infer one. HCAI will hold another technical-assistance webinar on September 16 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM; applicants should confirm live HCAI timing for all events and submission milestones.
Source verificationOfficial government source · hcai.ca.govAtlas last verified this record September 27, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
