2026 Dr. Vivienne McDaniel Health Equity Scholarship

  • Virginia Nurses Foundation Dr. Vivienne McDaniel Health Equity Scholarship

  • Scholarship Details

  • The Dr. Vivienne McDaniel Health Equity Scholarship has been established to honor Dr. McDaniel, a nursing leader dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the nursing profession and communities throughout the commonwealth. As the inaugural chair of the Virginia Nurses Association & Virginia Nurses Foundation's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council and a former Diversity Ambassador on the VNF Board of Trustees, Dr. McDaniel has tirelessly advocated for equitable healthcare practices both in Virginia and nationwide.

    This $2,500 scholarship, which aims to support and inspire advanced degree* nursing students who are committed to promoting diversity and equity in healthcare in Virginia, will be awarded in August 2026.

     This scholarship is for graduate or doctoral programs.

  • Application Requirements

  • All applications must include:

    • A personal statement written by the applicant that describes commitment to nursing and health equity, how the applicant plans to use the advanced degree to influence health policy and promote equity in healthcare, and any relevant experiences or contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of nursing. 
    • The Role of Nurses in Advancing Health Equity and Policy Essay
    • A resume that includes community service, employment, awards, scholarships, professional organizations, and any honors received.
    • Two letters of recommendation from from individuals who can speak to your qualifications, commitment to nursing, and potential to impact health policy and equity. 
    • A transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions you have attended. 

  • Application Procedure

    • All applications must be submitted online.
    • The application deadline for the 2026 Dr. Vivienne McDaniel Health Equity Scholarship is May 1, 2026 at 11:45 pm.

  • Eligibility

    • This scholarship is intended for an advanced degree nursing student who is a resident of Virginia, is enrolled in a Virginia-based school of nursing program, and is a member of the Virginia Nurses Association.

  • Evaluation

    • A diverse committee of nursing leaders will evaluate each application and, using a point-value system, select the winning candidate.

  • Notification

    • The selected scholarship recipient will receive official notification of their awards from the Virginia Nurses Foundation in June 2026.

  • Personal Information

  • Academic Information

  • Personal Statement

  • Please provide a personal statement (500 - 700 words) addressing the following points:

    • Your commitment to nursing and health equity.
    • How you plan to use your advanced degree to influence health policy and promote equity in healthcare.
    • Any relevant experiences or contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of nursing.
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  • Attachments

  • The Role of Nurses in Advancing Health Equity and Policy Essay

    Write an essay (1,000 - 1,500 words) on the topic "The Role of Nurses in Advancing Health Equity and Policy." Discuss specific examples of how nurses can lead efforts to achieve health equity and influence health policy, drawing on your personal experiences and future goals.

     

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  • Letters of Recommendation

    Please include two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your qualifications, commitment to nursing, and potential to impact health policy and equity.
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  • Resume/CV

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  • Transcripts

    Provide official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.

  • Must submit with application to be considered. PDF files only. Your official transcript may be sent in the mail if required by your school, OR submitted as a PDF. A copy of a transcript is fine. VNF reserves the right to verify enrollment.

     

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  • Submission Details

    Deadline for Application: May 31, 2026

    Questions? Contact Linda McKay, lmckay@virginianurses.com

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