For most midwestern middle school students, a class trip to Washington DC stands as a rite of passage. I was in 6th grade when our school bus from Youngstown, Ohio pulled into DC. It was the first (and only) time I climbed the Washington Monument. The first time I read the Gettysburg Address. The first time I was awestruck by the size and power of our Capital Building. And though I’ve been to our nation’s capital hundreds of times since that first trip – I still look forward to revisiting my favorite memorials, being inspired by our shared history in the Library of Congress, and discovering new truths about our national story with each visit. These are the reasons why I was excited to take my own school age daughters on their first trip to Washington DC this past spring. While we managed to hit all the highlights, it was revisiting the National Air and Space Museum that struck me the most.
It’s been more than 30 years since I last visited this particular museum, and experiencing the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright was surprisingly moving. I was struck by their iterative attempts to achieve their dream of taking flight; excitement, experimentation, courage, and failure. Over and over again. They tried. They failed. They learned something new. They tried again and again until December 17, 1903, when they finally found success with the first airplane in Kitty Hawk North Carolina. Yes, this is a story of human ingenuity, teamwork and tenacity, but it’s also a story of the global communities that supported them, encouraged them, and inspired them to pursue their vision of aerospace progress – not for themselves but for all humankind.
This is my last column for the Office for Nursing Research & Innovation’s Weekly Research Roundup. As one does during transitions, I’ve reflected on why we started this newsletter, what we hope its impact has been, and what that means for the future of nursing science and scholarship at the University of Washington School of Nursing.
We started this newsletter because throughout this community we saw scholars whose vision for the impact of their work was truly unlimited. We tried to lift up science that was often less visible but whose influence on the health of our most vulnerable is immense. -And we wanted to build a community of scholars that recognize just how important their work is – but only if they work together, support each other, and recognize one person’s success as everyone’s success.
What is often unsaid (and unprinted) is that success can only be achieved through failure, and that failure always feels personal and often isolating. Yet the story of the Wright Brothers reminds us that persevering through the many failures that underpin progress requires a supportive community. In the five years I have worked at the University of Washington, I have submitted more than 30 grant proposals – most not discussed and only 3 funded. I have gotten some pretty scathing course evaluations. I have had abstracts rejected from important meetings; and have been nominated for awards I did not receive.
With each failure, members of this community – faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends have supported me. With every cup of coffee shared, revision read, lunch initiated, flower gifted, every word of encouragement, walk accompanied, authentic conversation had, and every happy hour we gathered at – you have supported me and reminded me that dreaming dauntlessly is why we get into this business. Higher education is largely centered on the practice of envisioning how our world can be better in both big and small ways across generations. At our best we are not only dreamers but also dream builders, working to help the seemingly impossible take flight. The crux of this work lies in our support of each other, our students, and our community to envision a better future for all. The full embrace and support of this community in my pursuit of some truly audacious dreams over the past five years has changed me – for good.
As I prepare to transition to the University of Michigan, I hope that you will permit me one final request. This business is becoming increasingly tough. There are pressures to produce more students, articles, grants, new programs, revenue streams, and there are dwindling resources. The value of our work faces increasing scrutiny from decision makers unfamiliar with and hostile to higher education. Tensions and divisions continue to grow. Tribalism and competition are a natural, albeit base human response to change and perceived scarcity; but they are not inevitable. My ask is that you support each other. Grow together. Treat the work and weight of the mission with seriousness but try not to take the failures personally. Dream together. Have fun. Help each other be the people you got into this business to be. If you can do this, I have no doubt that this community will emerge stronger than ever – changing all of us not just for good, but for the better.
Until we meet again, friends – A.
Hosted by the UW School of Nursing’s Office for Nursing Research & Innovation (ONR&I), the Digital Health Innovation Hub (DHIH), and the Washington HIMSS Chapter, the summit brought together nationally recognized leaders from across nursing, industry, policy, and digital health to move beyond hype and focus on practical implementation and responsible innovation.
“The energy in the room was incredible,” said, Allison Webel, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at the UW School of Nursing. “This summit demonstrated that nurses are not just adapting to AI, they are helping lead how it is designed, implemented, and evaluated in real-world care settings.”
My primary goal in attending WIN was to share research grounded in community partnerships and a framework that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. I also looked forward to learning about others’ research, networking, and innovations in nursing education. However, the most meaningful takeaway for me was the sense of connection, reconnection, and community with nurses and nurse scientists from across the country.
Bringing together todays and tomorrow’s leaders from healthcare, nursing, academia, industry, policy, and technology, the 
of the UW School of Nursing’s scientific mission. This year, as the importance of that work faced scrutiny, our community didn’t waver—we doubled down. We reaffirmed our commitment to advancing the health of all women through rigorous science, because we know this truth: when we invest in women’s health, everyone benefits. Dive into our #3 most-read story, part one of a powerful two-part series, 
as NIH’s unexpected policy shift: a new cap on grant submissions. While the idea had circulated for years, the official announcement came as a surprise to many: starting January 2026, investigators can submit no more than six new, renewal, resubmission, or revision applications per calendar year. This change isn’t just procedural, it’s strategic. Researchers will need to rethink how and when they submit proposals, ensuring every application carries a clear purpose and impact. Adding to the buzz, NIH also signaled heightened scrutiny of artificial intelligence (AI) in grant writing, warning that AI-generated applications may be deemed non-compliant. Our community sees this as more than a limitation, it’s an opportunity to elevate the quality and value of every submission. Explore our most-read article of 2025 to learn what this means for investigators: 
has been to many. While understandable, this paralysis is not insurmountable. There is always a degree of uncertainty with research funding, however it’s also important to lean into the other, less prominent side of research – disseminating our results.
writing alongside trusted colleagues makes the process more productive and enjoyable. If you have not experienced this yet, consider forming a writing group, building cross-disciplinary partnerships, organizing a writing retreat, or setting up regular writing accountability calls. Invite constructive feedback, share your drafts early, and be open to critique. Scholarship and scientific progress thrive in community—and writing with friends is one of the best ways to keep momentum strong.
At the University of Washington, we have been studying how laws and policies—including those in schools, workplaces, and legal systems—can go beyond short-term fixes and make a real difference. For example, 
Bethany Armentrout, PhD
Nanyombi Lubimbi, PhD
But the most important part of any grant application is knowing your why. Why apply for this grant and how does your why align with the sponsor’s priorities. Certainly, applying for a research grant as a student offers benefits that extend far beyond financial support of a research project. Some research grants (e.g., NIH F31 applications, AHA Predoctoral Fellowships) can help cover essential costs such as tuition, stipends, supplies, and travel for conferences. In addition, funded research projects often lead to opportunities for publication and presentation, allowing students to raise their professional visibility through published manuscripts, posters, and conference talks. These experiences not only build academic credibility but also connect students with faculty mentors and research teams, helping to foster valuable professional collaborations.
Now that you’ve identified your first research grant, work with the ONR&I pre-award services for comprehensive support throughout the proposal development, budgeting, and compliance process. We coordinate with institutional offices, especially the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), to ensure that your submission is properly authorized and timely. For a successful proposal, students should start early, ask questions, and tailor their applications to the funder’s mission. Clarity, conciseness, and storytelling are key to making a compelling case. And most importantly, students should lean on the 
There are few phrases more familiar- or feared -by those of us in higher education than publish or perish. Our professional success is often built on a sustained track record of high-impact, peer-reviewed, published scholarship (in addition to excellent teaching of course). And as nurse scientists, our scholarship is rooted in service—to our patients, our communities, and our broader mission to improve the health of all. That’s why the NIH’s updated Public Access Policy, 
What’s an AAM?
Why This Matters for Nursing
Summer is an ideal time to hone your research skills or explore new methodologies. We post internal and external training opportunities in our 
Stay on top of your research grant spending with ease by getting familiar with the 
Many major grant deadlines fall in the early fall (e.g., NIH, RRF, RIFP). Use the summer to map out your submission calendar, gather materials, and begin drafting. Early planning reduces last-minute stress and improves the quality of your proposals. Remember to submit your planned proposals to the 
Global collaboration can open new avenues for funding and innovation. As the federal government updates their policies on funding global collaboration, use the summer to identify potential international partners, understand relevant regulations, and explore funding mechanisms that support cross-border research.
Finally, make time to read beyond your area of scholarly expertise. Reading broadly can inspire new ideas, uncover emerging trends, and spur interdisciplinary connections. Whether it’s journal articles, white papers, lay articles, books, or poetry, reading is a powerful way to nourish your intellectual curiosity.
The heart of the event was an intimate and inspiring conversation between Dr. Oleg Zaslavsky, Director of the Digital Health Innovation Hub and Aljoya Endowed Professor in Aging, and Dr. Elena Bosque, a seasoned neonatal nurse practitioner at Seattle Children’s Hospital and award-winning inventor. Their conversation offered a rare glimpse into the personal and professional journey of a nurse innovator.
innovators and entrepreneurs. Rather than providing a list of tips or strategies, she shared a story—simple, personal, and revealing. She recalled a moment from her undergraduate years, during the high-stress final exam period. Her roommate, seemingly unfazed, was curled up with a novel—reading for pleasure. Dr. Bosque, focused on the academic grind, challenged her: “But we don’t do that,” she said, echoing the established norm that finals week was for studying, not reading for pleasure. Her roommate looked up and replied, gently but firmly, “Of course we do.”
One of the most significant challenges Antonia faced was navigating complex statistical methods with limited prior experience in quantitative research. Learning to interpret regression analyses and control for covariates like age and sex initially felt daunting. However, with Dr. Oliveira’s mentorship—including a tailored data analysis workshop and hands-on practice with statistical software—Antonia steadily built her confidence and competence.
Generously funded by the Skyline Foundation, which provides $200,000 per year for three years, the project underscores the importance of the UW School of Nursing’s dedication to supporting midwives and will ultimately translate to better women’s and family care. Looking ahead, this project will co-create an implementation plan for an educational program that supports all midwifery professions, sharing knowledge and healing wounds to better support patients and families. This work is about more than just education; it’s about creating a sustainable profession that will make a profound impact on women’s health and overall well-being.
Supported by more than $14M in grants from NIH and the Gates Foundation, Jillian’s research is backed by distinguished sponsors. This funding not only advances HIV and STI prevention and treatment but also trains the next generation of bold, innovative women’s health scientists. Despite current challenges, Dr. Pintye is optimistic. Advances in HIV science bring the possibility of ending the HIV epidemic within our reach. She hopes her research will inform health policies and clinical practices, creating an HIV-free generation.
local entities over the past decade.
Last week, the University of Washington said goodbye to Dr. McLemore as she departed to undertake a new leadership role at the NYU Rory Myers College of Nursing. Her leadership will be missed. However, the work of dismantling mythology in nursing extends far beyond the work of one individual or one center. It is the work of all of us, and science offers tools to allow us to accomplish this work. Audre Lorde said, “…and that visibility which makes us most vulnerable is that which also is the source of our greatest strength.”