1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act or the FAAN Act . 2. Support for nursing education and the future nursing workforce Part D of title VIII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 296p et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 832. Nursing education enhancement and modernization grants in underserved areas (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may award grants to schools of nursing (as defined in section 801) for— (1) increasing the number of faculty and students at such schools in order to enhance the preparedness of the United States for, and the ability of the United States to address and quickly respond to, public health emergencies declared under section 319 and pandemics; or (2) the enhancement and modernization of nursing education programs. (b) Priority In selecting grant recipients under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to schools of nursing that— (1) are located in a medically underserved community; (2) are located in a health professional shortage area as defined under section 332(a); or (3) are institutions of higher education listed under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965. (c) Consideration In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary, to the extent practicable, may ensure equitable distribution of awards among the geographic regions of the United States. (d) Use of funds A school of nursing that receives a grant under this section may use the funds awarded through such grant for activities that include— (1) enhancing enrollment and retention of students at such school, with a priority for students from disadvantaged backgrounds (including racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the nursing workforce), individuals from rural and underserved areas, low-income individuals, and first generation college students (as defined in section 402A(h)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965)