Debra Spunt Lecture – 2026 Application Form

Overview of the Spunt Lecture

The Debra L. Spunt Lecture Series honors Dr. Debra Spunt’s pioneering contributions to simulation in nursing education. Each year, one distinguished educator is selected to deliver the Spunt Lecture at the NLN Education Summit. The Spunt Lecture is generously sponsored by Laerdal Medical, which has supported this initiative since its inception in 2007.

Eligibility
Nominees must:

Demonstrate excellence in Scholarship, Teaching, and Service/Leadership in simulation-based nursing education.
Be nationally and internationally recognized for contributions to simulation.
Be able to design and deliver an effective presentation for a broad nurse educator audience.
Be available to attend the NLN Summit in Washington, DC on September 23-25, 2026.
Maintain current NLN membership through at least December 31, 2026 (membership will be verified).
Consider incorporating the 2026 NLN Summit theme: Beyond the Storm: Reshaping Resilience & Recovery (encourage, not required).

Application Pathways

Nominee-Initiated: The nominee requests a nomination from an eligible past Spunt Lecturer and submits the online application with the completed nomination form.
Past Lecturer-Initiated: A past Spunt lecturer completes the nomination form and submits the online application on behalf of the nominee. The nominee completes an additional brief form to confirm participation and submit lecture proposal materials.

Nomination Rules

Eligible past Spunt Lecturers may nominate up to two individuals per year.
The following individuals are not eligible to serve as nominator:
- Dr. Suzie Kardong-Edgren – 2026 selection committee
- Dr. KT Waxman – 2026 selection committee
- Dr. Kellie Bryant – current NLN position
A completed 2026 nomination form is required for all applications, regardless of pathway. The form is available for download at https://www.nln.org/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/professional-development-programs/debra-spunt-lecture-2026-nomination-form.docx?sfvrsn=4fc642db_1.

Deadlines:

Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:59PM Eastern
Selection Committee Review: February 2026
Announcement of Lecturer: March 2026

Section 1: Submitter Information

1. Submission Type: *This question is required.

2. Email Address of Nominator. This will be used to send you a confirmation of receipt of your nomination. *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

Section 2: Nominee Information

3. Nominee First Name: *This question is required.

4. Nominee Last Name: *This question is required.

5. Nominee Credentials: *This question is required.

6. Nominee Email Address *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

6. Nominee Employer Name:

7. NLN Membership Number. (If unknown, list “Unknown”; membership will be verified) *This question is required.

Section 3: Required Uploads

8. Nominee Curriculum Vitae (highlight scholarship, teaching, and leadership contributions): *This question is required.

File: {{filename}} delete

9. Upload the nomination form completed by the eligible past Spunt Lecturer noted above. The form will be verified to confirm completion by the nominator. *This question is required.

File: {{filename}} delete

Section 4: Additional Requirements for Nominee-Initiated Applications

10. Are you available to attend the NLN Education Summit in Washington, DC on September 23-25, 2026? (The exact date and time of the lecture will be finalized later in 2026. If you are not available, you will not be considered for this recognition.) *This question is required.

10. Proposed Lecture Summary. Provide a description of your proposed presentation (maximum two paragraphs) that includes the lecture’s title and outlines its relevance to simulation and its anticipated value to nurse educators. *This question is required.

10. Proposed Lecture Outcomes. List 2-3 measurable outcomes that articulate what participants will gain from attending your session. *This question is required.

10. Proposed Lecture Criteria Alignment. Submit a brief narrative addressing how you meet each of the three areas outlined in the nomination form:

Demonstrated excellence in scholarship
Demonstrated excellence in teaching
Demonstrated collaboration, service, and leadership in simulation

*This question is required.

Section 5: Confirmation

10. Acknowledgment Checkbox: *This question is required.

I confirm that all information provided is accurate and complete.