Each year, Sigma and collaborating organizations fund nursing research around the world. This year's grant recipients represent Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their research covers a diverse range of topics, including artificial intelligence, burnout, assessment, clinical interventions, and more. 

Find out more about these and other grants offered here. All grants are made possible through donations to the Sigma Foundation for Nursing.

2026 Sigma Small Grants

Nurul'Ain Ahayalimudin, PhD, RN, CEN, OHN (Phi Omega at-Large Chapter, Malaysia)
Nurse-Led AI Triage Validation: Assessing Clinical Judgment Alignment with AI-Powered Triage Tools in Malaysian Emergency Departments
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the alignment between emergency nurses’ triage decisions and an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered triage tool in Malaysian emergency departments. By quantifying concordance and exploring nurses’ perceptions, the project will provide evidence to guide responsible AI integration into frontline emergency care.

Heejung Choi, PhD (Lamdba Alpha at-Large Chapter, South Korea)
Identification of Symptom Clusters of Patient Safety–Related Problem Behaviors in Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Text Network Analysis
The purpose of this study is to conduct a patient-safety-oriented symptom cluster analysis of the severity of behavior problems among children with developmental disabilities, using secondary data measured by the Behavior Problems Inventory–01 (BPI-01).

Yushen Dai, MPhil (Hong Kong)
Exploration of the Neuromechanism of the Virtual Walking Intervention on Chronic Pain and Depression in Individuals with Severe Mobility Impairments
The study aims to conduct an EEG-based investigation of neural mechanisms of a nurse-led virtual walking intervention among individuals with SMI, with secondary evaluation of clinical effects on chronic pain severity, depression, and stress.

Yoonsoo Eo, MSN, RN (Beta Eta at-Large Chapter, USA)
Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) Symptom Experiences in Older Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Survivors (The I SEE Study)
The purpose of this dissertation study is to characterize post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) symptom experiences and identify potential age-related predictors among older ICU survivors during their post-ICU hospital stay (Timepoint 1; T1) and in the early post-hospital discharge period (Timepoint 2; T2).

Elizabeth Gazza, PhD, RN, LCCE, FACCE, ANEF (Nu Omega Chapter, USA)
Mentoring Graduate Nursing Students to pursue Careers as PhD-prepared Academic Nurse Educators
The purpose of this study is to increase the number of PhD-prepared ANEs by discovering current educational and career mentoring practices for graduate nursing students in the international community and proposing a mentoring program for graduate nursing students 2 that focuses on education and career pathways as part of role development.

Fernanda R. E. Gimenes, PhD, RN (Rho Upsilon Chapter, Brazil)
Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Assessment of Gastric Residual Volume: A Scoping Review
The purpose of this scoping review is to generate the first comprehensive mapping of procedures used in point-of-care ultrasound for gastric residual volume assessment in adults, addressing a critical gap in current evidence.

Nurul Huda, PhD (Indonesia)
Effectiveness of a Digital Psychoeducational Intervention for Young Adults with Fertility Related Distress Following Cancer Diagnosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital psychoeducational intervention for young adults with fertility-related distress following cancer diagnosis on anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, coping, social support, and quality of life.

Heidi Johnston, DNP, RN, CNE (Beta Psi Chapter, USA)
Assessing Political Competence in Graduate Nursing Students
The purpose of this study is to assess the political knowledge, political efficacy, and perceived barriers to engaging in political advocacy for health policy among American graduate nursing students using the Political Competence Scale for Nurses (PCS-N) and to validate the tool in the United States. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights into factors associated with political astuteness, leading to informed curriculum development and policy education strategies and better preparing doctoral graduates to lead policy changes.

Haerim Lee, PhD, MSN, RN (Beta Psi Chapter, USA)
Physical and Psychosocial Burdens and Sexual Well-Being of Partnered Gynecologic Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study
The long-term purpose of this study is to inform multilevel, tailored interventions that improve their sexual well-being among gynecologic cancer survivors in the context of their personal lives and relationships after cancer treatment.

Hyunhae Lee, MSN (Psi at-Large & Lambda Alpha at-Large Chapters, USA)
Lifestyle Factors and Longevity Beyond Blue Zones: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed-Method
Research This study aims to explore the lifestyle factors of older adults in Sardinia, Italy, one of five designated Blue Zones, and to empirically examine which factors contribute most to longevity in a US-based prospective cohort with over 30 years of follow-up data.

Lena Lee, PhD, RN (Lambda Alpha at-Large Chapter, USA)
Digital Health Engagement in Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads
The purpose of this study is to identify the levels and types of social support provided virtually to adult patients undergoing cancer treatment at an oncology clinic located far away from home and their family caregivers (patient-caregiver dyads).

Kristin Corey Magan, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-BC (Epsilon Tau at-Large Chapter, USA)
Longitudinal Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms among Family Caregivers of Spouses with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
The purpose of this study is to examine changes in depressive symptoms for ten years following the care recipient's death and to better understand the underlying mechanisms of post-caregiving depressive symptoms in former CGs of spouses with ADRD using nationally representative data. The proposed study will directly address the methodological limitations of prior studies.

Charlotte McArdle, BSN, MSc, RGN (Phi Mu Chapter, United Kingdom)
An Exploration of the Role of Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers in Influencing People-Centred Health Policy and the Delivery of Contemporary Person-Centred Nursing and Midwifery Practices
The purpose of this study is to investigate and understand how Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers (GCNMOs) influence national health policy, specifically people-centred health policy, and how their leadership affects the implementation and delivery of contemporary person-centred nursing and midwifery practice.

Ariadne Meyers, MSN, RN, CNL, IBCLC (Gamma Tau at-Large Chapter, USA)
The Relationship Between Self-Rated Professional Well-Being and Maslach Burnout Inventory Subscales: A Cross-Sectional Study of Hospital-Based Nurses
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between self-rated professional well-being and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) subscale scores among registered nurses providing direct patient care in hospital settings.

Lalipat Phianhasin, MS (Delta Pi & Psi at-Large Chapters, USA)
Role of Social Support as a Social Determinant of Health in Functional Status and Cognitive Function among Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Survivors
The purpose of this study is to examine the role of social support as a social determinant of health (SDOH) in functional status and cognitive function among aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) survivors. We aim to improve understanding of the impact of SDOH on post-aSAH care and recovery and to inform the optimization of care plans and interventions to advance post-aSAH recovery.

Deanna Reising, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN, FNAP, ANEF (Alpha Chapter, USA)
Understanding Nursing Research Infrastructure in Magnet®-designated Organizations
The purpose of this study is to examine current practices for advancing nursing research in Magnet®-designated facilities and to analyze their effectiveness in achieving nursing research outcomes. Developing an effective research infrastructure is of utmost importance for advancing nursing science and meeting Magnet® designation requirements.

Jill Sergison, MA, CNM, RN (Beta Epsilon Chapter, USA)
Cultural Identity and Cervical Cancer Screening: Exploring Lumbee Women’s Perspectives on At-Home HPV Testing
The purpose of this study is to generate culturally grounded insights to inform the design and implementation of interventions to promote the uptake of at-home HPV testing as a cervical cancer screening option for Lumbee women.

Memnun Seven, PhD (Beta Zeta at-Large Chapter, USA)
Enhancing Community-Based Support for Symptom Management of Cancer Survivors: A Nurse-Led, Theory-Driven Approach to Support Groups
The purpose of this pilot community-based participatory research (CBPR) study is to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of an online, nurse-led, structured symptom support group (SSG) intervention designed for advanced cancer survivors (stage 3-4) on patient-reported outcomes (i.e., self-efficacy for coping with cancer, managing chronic conditions, and quality of life).

Katelyn Webster-Dekker, PhD, RN (Rho Chapter, USA)
Ecological Momentary Assessment of Cognitive Function and Physical Activity in Assisted Living Residents
The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of measuring cognitive function using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods while simultaneously monitoring physical activity using an accelerometer device in older adults residing in assisted living facilities.

2026 Sigma/Alpha Eta Collaborative Research Grant

Frank Kiwanuka, PhD, CNS, BNS (Alpha Beta Nu Chapter, Uganda)
Synergistic Translation of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Science The overarching purpose of this study is to establish a new frontier field of research at the intersection of health sciences, computer science, ethics, and informatics, foregrounding responsible, ethical, and equitable utilization of AI in three thematic areas: (i) AI literacy, (ii) ethics of AI in healthcare, and (iii) AI use in health sciences education.

2026 Sigma/Rosemary Berkel Crisp Research Award

Ilknur Yesilcinar, PhD, RN (Phi Gamma & Theta Kappa Chapters, USA)
Transforming Prenatal Decision-Making Through Virtual Reality: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of virtual reality in supporting informed decision-making about participating in prenatal testing among pregnant individuals.

2026 Sigma/Western Institute of Nursing Research Grant

Stephanie St Clair, BSN (Gamma Rho Chapter, USA)
The Dyadic Experience of Conflict, Gender Role Strain, and Parental Stress: Navigating the Transition to Parenthood
The purpose of this study is to understand how couples navigate dyadic coping and conflict during pregnancy and postpartum, and to identify mechanisms of action that can reduce aggression and intimate partner violence (IPV) during this critical period in the lifespan.

2026 Sigma/Council for Advancement of Nursing Science

Martha M. Whitfield, PhD, APRN (Theta Kappa Chapter, USA)
Hidden Risks on the Shelf: An Analysis of Kratom and 7-OH Product Composition and the Role of Nurses in Patient Education and Safety The purpose of this study is to characterize the toxicological profile of commercially available kratom (mitragynine) and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products legally purchased from retail outlets across New England. This knowledge is especially important for nurses, as highly trusted healthcare professionals who are often responsible for reconciling patient medications and supplements.