Table 6 Critical elements: initial program inputs

Participation in proposal development

● Dean, Nurse Executive, and both program directors participated in proposal writing

● One or more key leadership positions were vacant at time of proposal preparation

● Some future faculty candidates produced specific content regarding proposed innovations

● No input from clinical faculty or nursing staff included in proposal content

Collegiality between future partnership members

● Longstanding pre-existing relationships between two or more partnership leaders

● One or more key leaders met for first time during proposal development or after grant notification

Relationship of partnership leaders with VA Central Office

● Longstanding pre-existing relationships between partnership leaders and VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations

● Leaders of proposed partnerships were unknown to OAA staff prior to submission

Funds from VANA grant to support faculty salaries

● Clear understanding at both institutions about procedures to disburse VA grant funds for faculty salaries

● Pervasive lack of knowledge at both institutions about the local financial mechanisms used to spend grant funds

● Lack of knowledge about grant disbursement process or lack of supportive resources to understand it