Nurses play a critical role in protecting the health of mothers, newborns, and families. From prenatal care and childbirth support to neonatal intensive care and postpartum services, nursing professionals are often at the forefront of improving health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable populations.
Recognizing the importance of strengthening the nursing workforce, March of Dimes, with the support of Pampers®, continues to invest in the next generation of healthcare professionals through its prestigious Nursing Scholarship Program.
For 2026, four outstanding nursing students were awarded scholarships worth $10,000 each in recognition of their dedication to advancing maternal and infant health. These awards support future nurses, nurse-midwives, researchers, and healthcare advocates who are committed to addressing some of the most pressing maternal and infant health challenges facing communities across the United States.
About March of Dimes
March of Dimes is one of the leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health of mothers and babies.
Founded in 1938, the organization has spent decades supporting families through:
- Research funding
- Public health education
- Advocacy initiatives
- Community programs
- Maternal and infant health services
Its mission is focused on:
- Ending preventable maternal health risks and deaths
- Reducing preterm birth
- Preventing infant mortality
- Closing health equity gaps
- Ensuring every family has the opportunity for a healthy start
Through partnerships with healthcare organizations, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders, March of Dimes continues to drive improvements in maternal and infant healthcare across the country.
About the Nursing Scholarship Program
The March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship Program was established in 1998 to recognize and promote excellence in nursing while supporting students who are committed to improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
The program reflects March of Dimes’ long-standing commitment to strengthening the healthcare workforce and ensuring that families receive the highest quality of care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and infancy.
With generous support from Pampers®, a partner of March of Dimes for more than 25 years, the scholarship program continues to help prepare future healthcare leaders dedicated to maternal and infant health.
Scholarship Overview
The 2026 March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship Program awarded:
- Four scholarships
- $10,000 per recipient
- Total funding of $40,000
The scholarships support both undergraduate and graduate nursing students whose work and career goals focus on improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
Recipients are selected based on their academic achievements, professional commitment, leadership potential, and dedication to addressing healthcare challenges affecting mothers and babies.
Why This Scholarship Matters
The United States continues to face significant challenges related to maternal and infant health.
Healthcare systems across the country are working to address:
- Maternal mortality
- Infant mortality
- Health disparities
- Access to prenatal care
- Postpartum support gaps
- Workforce shortages in maternal healthcare
At the same time, the nursing profession faces growing workforce shortages that place additional strain on healthcare providers.
The March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship Program helps address these issues by investing in students who are preparing to become:
- Maternal health nurses
- Neonatal nurses
- Nurse-midwives
- Women’s health practitioners
- Nursing researchers
- Healthcare advocates
By supporting nursing education, the program helps strengthen the future workforce dedicated to caring for mothers and babies.
Scholarship Benefits
Financial Support
Recipients receive:
- $10,000 scholarship award
The funding may help offset:
- Tuition expenses
- Educational fees
- Research costs
- Clinical training expenses
- Professional development activities
Career Advancement
Scholarship recipients gain recognition for their dedication to maternal and infant health, strengthening their academic and professional profiles.
Support for Research and Innovation
Graduate recipients often use scholarship funding to advance research focused on improving health outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Leadership Development
The scholarship highlights emerging healthcare leaders committed to addressing health inequities and improving patient care.
Graduate Nursing Scholarships
The graduate scholarship category recognizes registered nurses enrolled in advanced nursing degree programs who are committed to advancing maternal and infant healthcare.
Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda Award
The highest-scoring graduate recipient receives the prestigious Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda Award.
History of the Award
Established in 2016, the award honors Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda, a respected nursing leader who served as Chair of the March of Dimes National Nurse Advisory Council.
Dr. Freda was widely recognized for her dedication to nursing education, maternal health, and the mission of March of Dimes.
The award continues her legacy by recognizing exceptional graduate nursing students whose work has the potential to improve outcomes for mothers and infants.
2026 Graduate Nursing Scholarship Recipients
Kathryn Kravetz Carr, CNM, MSN, FACNM
Institution:
- Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Program:
- PhD Program
Award:
- Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda Award Winner
Her research focuses on improving maternal and infant outcomes by strengthening communication and teamwork among obstetric healthcare teams throughout the southern United States.
Hannah Kumarasamy, PhD(c), MPH, CNM, WHNP-BC
Institution:
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
Research Focus:
Her work explores pregnancy burden and seeks to better understand the hidden physical, emotional, and social costs associated with pregnancy.
Her research aims to develop evidence-based tools and community-centered solutions that reduce preventable maternal illness and improve outcomes for families.
Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships
The undergraduate scholarship category supports students preparing for careers focused on maternal and infant health.
Recipients demonstrate strong academic performance and a clear commitment to serving mothers, newborns, and families.
2026 Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship Recipients
Kate Powers, BHS, MPH
Institution:
- University of Tennessee
Program:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Career Goals:
Kate plans to combine her public health background with nursing practice to improve maternal and infant healthcare through education, advocacy, and postpartum support initiatives.
Her long-term goal is to help ensure that mothers and babies not only survive but thrive throughout their healthcare journeys.
Claudia Estefany Simental
Institution:
- Pepperdine University
Program:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Career Goals:
Claudia is pursuing a future career as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse.
She hopes to provide culturally responsive, bilingual, family-centered care while supporting vulnerable newborns and their families during critical stages of development.
Role of Pampers in the Scholarship Program
Pampers has partnered with March of Dimes for more than 25 years to support maternal and infant health initiatives.
Through this partnership, Pampers helps fund programs that:
- Support nursing education
- Improve maternal health outcomes
- Advance infant care
- Strengthen healthcare systems
The company’s involvement reflects its broader commitment to supporting families from pregnancy through early childhood development.
Eligibility and Selection Focus
Although annual application requirements may vary, the scholarship generally seeks applicants who demonstrate:
Academic Excellence
Strong performance in nursing education programs.
Commitment to Maternal and Infant Health
Career goals focused on improving care for mothers, newborns, and families.
Leadership Potential
Evidence of leadership, advocacy, or service within healthcare or community settings.
Research and Innovation
Graduate applicants are often evaluated on the potential impact of their research on maternal and infant health outcomes.
Tips for Future Applicants
Develop a Clear Career Vision
Successful applicants often have a well-defined commitment to maternal and infant healthcare.
Demonstrate Impact
Highlight volunteer work, clinical experiences, advocacy efforts, and leadership activities that show dedication to improving healthcare outcomes.
Focus on Health Equity
Projects and goals that address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes often align strongly with the mission of March of Dimes.
Showcase Research Interests
Graduate applicants should clearly explain how their research will contribute to improving maternal and infant health.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship worth?
Each recipient receives a scholarship valued at $10,000.
Who sponsors the scholarship program?
The scholarship program is administered by March of Dimes with support from Pampers®.
When was the scholarship program established?
The March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship Program was established in 1998.
Who can apply?
The scholarship supports both undergraduate and graduate nursing students committed to improving maternal and infant health.
What is the Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda Award?
It is a special honor awarded to the highest-scoring recipient in the graduate nursing scholarship category.
Final Thoughts
The March of Dimes Nursing Scholarship Program continues to play an important role in strengthening the future of maternal and infant healthcare. By providing substantial financial support to nursing students dedicated to serving mothers and babies, the program helps address workforce shortages, promote healthcare equity, and encourage innovative research.
For aspiring nurses, nurse-midwives, researchers, and maternal health advocates, this scholarship represents more than financial assistance—it is recognition of a commitment to improving the lives of families and ensuring healthier beginnings for future generations.
As March of Dimes and Pampers continue their partnership, the Nursing Scholarship Program remains a powerful investment in the healthcare professionals who will shape the future of maternal and infant care across the United States.