; (2) are located in, or prepare students to practice in, a health professional shortage area as defined under section 332(a); (3) are institutions of higher education listed under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965; or (4) are located in, or prepare students to practice in, a rural area or a noncontiguous State or territory of the United States. (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 shall 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), including through mentorship programs, providing tools and programming for underrepresented students, and addressing other student needs; (2) retaining current faculty, and hiring new faculty, with an emphasis on faculty from racial or ethnic groups who are underrepresented in the nursing workforce; (3) partnering with a health care facility, nurse-managed health clinic, community health center, or other facility that provides health care in order to provide educational opportunities for the purpose of establishing or expanding clinical education; (4) modernizing infrastructure at such school, including audiovisual or other equipment, simulation and augmented reality resources, telehealth technologies, and virtual and physical laboratories; (5) creating, supporting, or modernizing educational programs and curriculum at such school; (6) enhancing and expanding nursing programs that prepare nurse researchers and scientists