UT Medical Branch receives $4M for scholarships and housing to expand Texas nursing pipeline

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston has announced a $4 million grant from the Sealy & Smith Foundation to launch Island Promise, a nursing scholarship and workforce development initiative aimed at easing financial barriers and addressing healthcare staffing shortages across the state. Beginning in fall 2026, the program will provide nursing students with full tuition, subsidized housing and living support, and priority placement into high-need clinical roles within the UTMB Health System. In return, graduates commit to two years of employment at UTMB, creating a long-term pipeline of nurses intended to strengthen patient care capacity across the Galveston region.