Sigma Small Grants

Esther Afolabi

Esther Afolabi, PhD (Kappa Epsilon at-Large Chapter, USA)
Cervical Cancer Screening Among New American Women in Grand Rapids Communities: A Need Assessment
This study aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of participants regarding cervical cancer prevention services, by thoroughly examining the barriers and facilitators that impact cervical cancer screening among New American women in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Misun Hwang

Misun Hwang, MSN, RN (Rho Chapter, USA)
Digital Health Engagement to Support Self-Management in Older Adults with Cancer
This study aims to comprehensively explores multiple dimensions of digital health engagement and factors influencing the decision-making of older adults with cancer at various phases of digital health engagement for their self-management using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Salini K

Salini K, PhD (Upsilon Xi at-Large Chapter, India)
Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led AI-Powered Cardiac Chatbot in Prevention and Early Detection of Postoperative Complications Among CABG Patients
This study aims to demonstrate the potential of AI-powered tools to enhance postoperative cardiac care.

Jing Liu

Jing Liu, PhD (Xi Omicron at-Large Chapter, USA)
Barriers and Facilitators to Access Breast Cancer Care in the Under-served Chinese Americans
This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the barriers and facilitators to accessing care among Chinese American women with breast cancer.

Yim-wah Mak

Yim-wah Mak, PhD (Pi Iota Chapter, Hong Kong)
Effects and Feasibility of Dyadic-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Manage Thirst Among Patients with Heart Failure: A Mixed-Methods Study
This study aims to improve thirst management and overall well-being in heart failure patients (HF) and their family caregivers (FC) through the implementation of 4 sessions of dyadic Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Siobhan O'Connor

Siobhan O'Connor, PhD (Phi Mu Chapter, UK)
Nursing Students Perspective on Learning About Artificial Intelligence: A Feasibility Study
This study aims to develop new AI curricula and integrate it into nursing courses on digital health so that undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students learn the fundamentals of AI.

Jude Ominyi

Jude Ominyi, PhD (Phi Mu Chapter, UK)
Exploring Social Prescribing Processes in Nurse-Led Weight Management Clinics: Facilitating Engagement in Physical Activity and Weight Loss Among Minority Ethnic Women With Excess Weight
The purpose of this study is to explore how Social Prescribing (SP) as a process facilitates engagement in physical activity (PA) and weight loss programs among minority ethnic women (MEW), with excess weight and obesity in nurse-led weight management.

Nariciso Quidley-Rodriguez

Nariciso Quidley-Rodriguez, PhD (Iota Xi Chapter, USA)
Companion Animals and LGBTQ+ Veterans: Exploring the Benefits and Risks of Furry Friends
This study aims to explore the benefits and drawbacks of companion dogs for LGBTQ+ veterans.

Priscilla Carmiol Rodriguez

Priscilla Carmiol Rodriguez, PhD (Psi at-Large and Theta Epsilon Chapters, USA)
Insights into Hispanic Family Caregivers' Sleep: A Multimethod Study
This study aims understand and characterize the sleep patterns, quality, prevalence of sleep disturbances, and cultural practices, attitudes and beliefs about sleep among Hispanic family caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Alexander Sheshtiperov

Alexander Sheshtiperov, PhD (Upsilon Xi at-Large Chapter, Israel)
Growing in the Shadow of Mental Illness: Quality of Life, Health Status, Social Functioning, and Health Care Utilization Among Adults With Parents Who Have Severe Mental Illness
This study aims to examine the connection between General self-efficacy, Resilience, Childhood traumatic experiences, and Parental attachment in childhood, and their associations with Quality of life, Healthcare service utilization, and Social functioning in young adulthood among adults who grew up in childhood to parents with severe mental illness.

Katherine Shue-McGuffin

Katherine Shue-McGuffin, PhD (Gamma Iota Chapter, USA)
Innovations in Training: Sim-IPE for Healthcare Professionals to Address Human Trafficking
This study aims to examine the efficacy of an interprofessional simulation (Sim-IPE) intervention, informed by HT survivors, community agency members, and clinical experts, for improving healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and preparedness for HT care.

Dan SongDan Song, PhD (Beta Pi Chapter, USA)
Combined EMA Tools to Assess Stress and Glycemia in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
This preliminary study aims to evaluate the effects of Auricular Point Acupressure, in managing pain, in older people with HIV.

Aimee A. Woda

Aimee A. Woda, PhD (Delta Gamma at-Large Chapter, USA)
Evaluating Generative AI’s Capability to Assess Debriefer Competence
This research aims to validate the effectiveness of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, in assessing debriefer competence using the Debriefing for Meaningful Learning Evaluation Scale.

Mengqi Xu

Mengqi Xu, MSN (China)
Effects of a Health Belief Model Based Educational Programme on Medication Adherence Among Older Adults With Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a newly designed health belief model based educational program on medication adherence among older adults with coronary artery disease.

Xiangming Zhan

Xiangming Zhan, PhD (USA)
Topic Modeling to Bridge the Gap Between Narratives of People affected by HIV and Educational Materials
This study aims to advance nursing science by developing an innovative methodological approach that bridges the gap between patient narratives and HIV educational materials through the integration of computational linguistics and nursing informatics.


Rosemary Berkel Crisp Research Grant

Rebecca BoniRebecca Boni, PhD (USA)
Professional Quality of Life Among Oncology Nurses in the United States
This study aims to identify the level of professional quality of life experienced among oncology nurses and to examine differences between the professional quality of life of inpatient and outpatient oncology nurses.






Doris Bloch Research Grant

Grant to be funded in November 2025.

Joan K. Stout, RN, Research Grant

Grant to be funded in November 2025.

Dr. Patricia E. Thompson Global Nursing Research Grant

Grant to be funded in November 2025.

Dr. Martha Pitel Global Nursing Research Grant

Grant to be funded in November 2025.

Sigma Foundation Latin American/Caribbean Nursing Research Grant

Grant to be funded in November 2025.


Sigma/Alpha Eta Collaborative Research Grant

Geertien Christelle BoersemaGeertien Christelle Boersema, PhD (Chi Xi Chapter, South Africa)
The Effect and Feasibility of a Telehealth and Shared Care Intervention with Ceramic dressings: a Mixed-Method study in South Africa
This study aims to improve access to wound care in South Africa, addressing health inequities and contributing to multiple domains, including the body of knowledge, the healthcare system, nursing practice, and the well-being of individuals with wounds.




Sigma/American Association of Critical-Care Nursing Grant

Grant to be funded in January 2026.

Sigma/American Board for Occupational Health Nurses Research Grant

Grant to be funded in November 2025.

Sigma/American Nurses Credentialing Center Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Grant Program

Grant to be funded in November 2025.

Sigma/Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Grant

Grant to be funded in August 2025.

Sigma/Canadian Nurses Foundation Grant

Crystal VaughanCrystal Vaughan, MN (Canada)
Understanding Nurses' Actual and Potential Contributions to Virtual Practice Within Primary Care: A Multiple Comparative Case Study
This study aims to generate foundational knowledge to inform the evolution of virtual nursing practice in primary care in Canada.




Sigma/Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Grant

Hesamaldin VarpaeiHesamaldin Varpaei, RN, BSN (Alpha Psi, USA)
The Effect of Sleep Disturbances and Gut Microbiota on Cognitive Function in Heart Failure Patients
This study aims provide an important opportunity to understand the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and sleep in the development of cognitive impairment in heart failure.







Sigma/Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Grant

Grant to be funded in late 2025.

Sigma/Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation End of Life Nursing Care Research Grant

Grant to be funded in August 2025.

Sigma/Midwest Nursing Research Society Research Grant

Grant to be funded in August 2025.

Sigma/National Association of Hispanic Nurses Research Grant

Grant to be funded in August 2025.

Sigma/National League for Nursing Grant

Grant to be funded in November 2025.

Sigma/Southern Nursing Research Society Grant

Grant to be funded in August 2025.

Sigma/Western Institute of Nursing Research Grant

Erin K. GeorgeErin K. George, PhD (Beta Mu Chapter, USA)
Freestanding Birth Center to Hospital Perinatal Transfers of Care: A Multi-Method Study of Outcomes and Experiences in Arizona
The purpose of this proposed research is to analyze perinatal transfers of care outcomes from freestanding birth centers to hospitals in the state of Arizona and conduct a mixed-methods study to evaluate and explore perinatal transfers of care experiences among nurses, midwives, physicians, and paramedic/emergency medical services staff.




Sigma Foundation for Nursing 

Research grants are made possible through donations to the Sigma Foundation for Nursing's Research Fund.  

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