In 1922, six nurses founded Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, today known as Sigma, at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, which is now the Indiana University School of Nursing. From its inception, Sigma has recognized the value of scholarship and excellence in nursing practice. Sigma, with its grant-offering partners (corporations, associations, and foundations), contributes more than US $200,000 annually to nursing research through grants, scholarships, and monetary awards.
Sigma and collaborating nursing organizations present the following research grant opportunities:
Doris Bloch Research Award: The Sigma/Doris Bloch Research Award encourages nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Applications from novice researchers who have received no other national research funds are encouraged and will receive preference for funding, other aspects being equal. Preference will be given to Sigma Theta Tau International members, other qualifications being equal. Funding is provided by a gift to Sigma Foundation for Nursing's Research Permanent Fund from the Doris Bloch Estate.
Joan K. Stout, RN, Research Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/Joan K. Stout, RN, Research Grant is to advance ongoing evidence-based study by nurse researchers on the impact of the practice of simulation education in schools of nursing and clinical care settings. The proposed research project should be designed to ensure the ongoing practice of nurse-led simulation in improving quality of care in clinical and/or academic settings with the potential for further funding and ongoing research. Funds provided by interest from a research endowment established at Sigma Foundation for Nursing, with a donation by the Hugoton Foundation.
American Nurses Credentialing Center Evidence-Based-Practice Implementation Grant: The Sigma/American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Grant encourages nurses in clinical settings to apply evidence to practice and evaluate the effects on patient outcomes.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Grant: The Sigma/American Association of Critical-Care Nursing (AACN) provides this grant to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through critical care nursing practice research.
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Grant: To encourage qualified nurses to conduct research related to perioperative nursing practice and contribute to the development of perioperative nursing science. All relevant research topics will be considered although priority will be given to research studies that relate to the AORN research priorities:
- Perioperative nursing care that contributes to quality, cost-effective patient outcomes related to safety, physiological integrity and behavioral responses.
- Validation, testing and refinement of the Perioperative Nursing Data Set.
- Perioperative Nursing Leadership/Management.
- Evidence-based practice
- Health and safety issues affecting perioperative nurses and patients.
- Perioperative nursing leadership/management (i.e. recruitment/retention, resource management, effective teams)
- Recommended Practices
Small Grants: To encourage nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research.
Alpha Eta Collaborative Research Grant: The Sigma Foundation for Nursing/Alpha Eta Collaborative Research Grant provides up to US $2,000 to Chi Omicron At-Large Chapter, Chi Xi At-Large Chapter, and/or Tau Lambda At-Large Chapter members ONLY for a new research project in Africa.
Canadian Nurses Foundation Collaborative Grant: The Sigma/Canadian Nurses Research Grant supports research that advances the practice of nursing with an emphasis on nursing care issues. Nursing care research or clinical nursing research is defined as research that is practice-based or that will provide the groundwork for future practice-based research studies. Research funded through this grant must provide evidence that there is a potential impact on nursing practice, whether direct or indirect.
Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: The Sigma/Council for Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) grant encourages qualified nurses to improve the health of the world's people through research. Proposals for clinical, educational or historical research, including plans for broadly disseminating the research findings, may be submitted for the grant.
Jonas Philanthropies Collaborative Research Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/Jonas Philanthropies collaborative research grant, in memory of Barbara Jonas, is to support nursing research that will help improve healthcare for the most vulnerable citizens of the United States. The grant is supported by Jonas Nursing & Veterans Healthcare, the signature program of Jonas Philanthropies. Proposals for pilot and/or developmental research may be submitted for the grant.
Rosemary Berkel Crisp Research Award: The Sigma/Rosemary Berkel Crisp grant supports nursing research in the critical areas of women's health, oncology, and pediatrics. The allocation of funds is based upon a research project that is ready for implementation in the area of women's health, oncology, or pediatrics; the quality of the proposed research, future potential of the application, appropriateness of the research budget, and feasibility of time frame. Funds provided by interest from a gift from The Harry L. Crisp, II and Rosemary Berkel Crisp Foundation to the honor society's Research Endowment. Funds for this grant do not cover expenses incurred prior to the funding date.
Western Institute of Nursing Research Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/Western Institute of Nursing research grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Proposals for pilot and/or developmental research may be submitted for the grant.
National League for Nursing Grant: The Sigmal/National League for Nursing (NLN) Grant supports research that advances the science of nursing education and learning through the use of technology in dissemination of knowledge. Proposed studies must be clearly focused on advancing the science of nursing education through the use of technology in the dissemination of knowledge and must relate to one or more of the http://www.nln.org/professional-development-programs/research/research-priorities-in-nursing-education.
Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Grant: The Sigma/Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Grant encourages nursing research that will advance the specialized practice of emergency nursing. All relevant research topics will be considered. Priority will be given to research studies relating to the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) research initiatives.
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Grant research grant is to encourage research career development of nurses through support of clinically oriented HIV/AIDS research and increase the number of HIV studies being done by nurses. This includes studies focused on HIV prevention, symptom management, promotion of self-care and adherence. Proposals for pilot and/or developmental research may be submitted for the grant.
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation End-of-Life Nursing Care Research Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation End of Life Nursing Care research grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing care through research. Proposals for pilot and/or developmental research may be submitted for the grant.
Midwest Nursing Research Society Research Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/Midwest Nursing Research Society research grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research; proposals for pilot and/or developmental research may be submitted. All research topics and designs are eligible for support. Multidisciplinary, historical, and international research is encouraged.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses Research Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) collaborative research grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of Latino health through nursing research. Proposals for pilot and/or development research may be submitted for this grant.
Southern Nursing Research Society Research Grant: The purpose of the Sigma/Southern Nursing Research Society collaborative grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Proposals for pilot and/or development research may be submitted for this grant.
Global Nursing Research Grant: The Sigma Global Nursing Research Grant encourages nurses to focus on responding to health disparities globally.
Sigma/Chamberlain College of Nursing Education Research Grants: The Sigma/Chamberlain College of Nursing Education Research Grants support research focused on excellence and innovation in nursing education.
Detailed information on these grant opportunities can be found at https://www.sigmanursing.org/advance-elevate/research/research-grants.