Grants for Genetic Counseling Education

New grants help Florida genetic counseling students

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law creates grants for graduate-level genetic counseling programs at Florida state universities. The Board of Governors awards competitive grants, subject to funding approved by lawmakers. Grants support programs accredited by a recognized accrediting body, including one-time startup grants for programs seeking accreditation. Funds can pay for faculty salaries, training and hiring incentives; student scholarships; and required clinical training. Scholarships can cover tuition, required books and materials, and reasonable living costs, but individual students are not guaranteed funding. Clinical training funds can support supervised health care placements, simulation resources, and faculty oversight. Startup applications must explain plans for accreditation, enrollment, faculty hiring and retention, graduation rates, first-time certification exam pass rates, and workforce contributions. They must document enough clinical training capacity to meet national accreditation standards and add statewide training opportunities without shifting existing supervision resources. Awards for accredited programs depend on student completions and first-time American Board of Genetic Counseling exam pass rates. The grant program rewards programs whose average first-time pass rates exceed the national average. Funds cannot pay for general administrative overhead, new buildings, or unrelated activities. Universities must keep compliance records and report spending, results, and next-year plans annually. The Board sends a statewide summary to the Governor and legislative leaders by July 1 each year and can adopt program regulations.