Welcome to Sigma's new grant application system.
Please be sure to read all instructions carefully as there have been several updates and changes to the application.
Application Deadline: 11:59pm US EST, 1 December 2026.
Note: Applications that do not meet the specific grant purpose criteria and/or requirements will not be reviewed.
Sigma research priorities are as follows: promotion of healthy communities through health promotion, disease prevention and recognition of social, economic and political determinants; implementation of evidence-based practice; targeting the needs of vulnerable populations such as the chronically ill and poor; and capacity development for research by nurses.
In its mission to provide leadership and scholarship in practice, education and research, Sigma presents the following research grant opportunities:
- Sigma/Western Institute of Nursing Research Grant Funding Start Date: 1 April
- All Other Grant Funding Start Date: 1 June
Sigma/Alpha Eta Collaborative Research Grant - This grant of up to $2,000 is given to active members of Sigma chapters in Africa Region for a new research project in Africa. Funds for this grant are provided by Alpha Eta Chapter.
Sigma Small Grants - Approximately 10-15 Small Grants of up to $5,000 each are given annually. The purpose of the grant is to encourage nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Preference will be given to novice researchers who have received no other national research funds. Preference will also be given to Sigma Theta Tau members. Annual funding is provided by Sigma Foundation for Nursing.
Dr. Dorothy Brooten Transitional Care Research Grant- One grant of up to $5,000 is awarded annually to one recipient. Its purpose is to advance evidence-based transitional care in clinical settings and the dissemination of its impact. Funds for this grant are provided by Sigma Foundation for Nursing’s Dr. Dorothy Brooten Research Permanent Fund.
Doris Bloch Research Grant- One grant of up to $5,000 is awarded annually to one recipient. The purpose of the grant is to encourage nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Funding is provided by a gift to Sigma Foundation for Nursing’s Research Permanent Fund from the Doris Bloch Estate.
Sigma/Rosemary Berkel Crisp Research Grant - One grant of up to $5,000 is awarded annually to one recipient. Its purpose is to support nursing research in the critical areas of women's health, oncology, and pediatrics. Funding is provided by a gift to Sigma Foundation for Nursing’s Research Permanent Fund from The Harry L. Crisp, II and Rosemary Berkel Crisp Foundation.
Sigma/American Board for Occupational Health Nurses Research Grant- This grant of up to $10,000 is given to one recipient. The purpose of the Sigma/American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) collaborative research grant is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of occupational health through nursing research. Proposals for pilot and/or development research may be submitted for this grant. Funds for this grant are provided jointly by the Sigma Foundation for Nursing and American Board for Occupational Health Nurses.
Sigma/Western Institute of Nursing Research Grant - This grant of up to $10,000 is given to one recipient. Its purpose is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of occupational health through nursing research. Proposals for pilot and/or development research may be submitted for this grant. Proposals for pilot and/or developmental research may be submitted for the grant. Funds for this grant are provided jointly by the Sigma Foundation for Nursing and Western Institute of Nursing.
For more information on these individual grants and their eligibility criteria, please visit sigmanursing.org/grants.
Welcome to Sigma's new awards nomination system.
Please be sure to read all instructions carefully.
Nomination Deadline: 11:59pm US EST, Friday, 11 December 2026.
Note: Nominations that do not meet the specific award criteria and/or requirements will not be judged. Incomplete nominations will also not be judged.
International Nurse Researcher Awards
Recognizes Sigma members who are nurse researchers; who have achieved significant and sustained broad national and/or international recognition for their work; and whose research has impacted the profession and the people it serves through the following Call for Nominations:
Sigma DAISY Nurse Leader Award for Nurse Scientist - recognizes a licensed registered nurse who has demonstrated excellence in research, compassionate care, and leadership.
Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award - recognizes an early-career nurse researcher (completed and earned a master's or doctoral degree within the last 5 years (1 December 2021 - 1 December 2026) from each of Sigma's global regions whose research has influenced the profession and the people it serves.
International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame - recognizes nurse researchers who have achieved significant and sustained national and/or international recognition for their work; and whose research has impacted the profession and the people it serves.
General Online Instructions
The online submission process sends email notifications. Sometimes universities and/or institutions block these confirmation emails, mistaking them for spam. We encourage you to add notfications@email.submittable.com and laurab@sigmanursing.org to your address book to ensure you receive communication regarding your submission.
Submission Information and Guidelines:
Award Criteria and Deadlines for Entries
Please visit Sigma's 2027 International Nurse Researcher Awards site and Sigma/DAISY Nurse Scientist Leadership Award site for award criteria, scoring rubric and past recipients. For more information about the International Awards for Nursing Excellence, including eligibility and award criteria, please contact the Sigma Awards at 888.634.7575 US/Canada, +1.317.634.8171 International or awards@sigmanursing.org
- Sigma DAISY Nurse Leader Award for Nurse Scientist Criteria
- International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Criteria
- Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award Criteria
Submission Requirements
• All award entries and supporting materials must be submitted via this online submission system. (Follow the hyperlinks on this page). Hard copies sent through the mail will NOT be accepted.
• Submissions may be uploaded in the following file types:
• Word document (*.doc/*.docx)
• PDF document (*.pdf)
• GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF format (*.gif/*.jpg/*.png/*.tif/)
• WMV, WMA, MOV, WAV, AIFF format (*.wmv/*.wma/*.mov/*.aif/)
• Click Here for supporting document definitions
• Submissions should NOT exceed 10 MB.
• Award entries must be in English.
• All communication regarding the award nomination will be sent to a designated primary contact. A valid e-mail address is required for all submitters.
Notification
Nominees and nominators will be notified by letter of the judges' decisions by February 2027. For questions/concerns regarding notifications, please contact awards@sigmanursing.org.
Welcome to Sigma's new awards nomination system.
Please be sure to read all instructions carefully.
Nomination Deadline: 11:59pm US EST, Friday, 11 December 2026.
Note: Nominations that do not meet the specific award criteria and/or requirements will not be judged. Incomplete nominations will also not be judged.
Honorary Membership
Bestows honorary membership upon individual with national or global influence who have furthered the course of healthcare.
Honorary Membership is granted to non-nurses throughout the world who are not eligible for regular membership but have demonstrated sustained superior achievements that have contributed to the advancement of nursing and healthcare at the national or global levels.
General Online Instructions
The online submission process sends email notifications. Sometimes universities and/or institutions block these confirmation emails, mistaking them for spam. We encourage you to add notfications@email.submittable.com and awards@sigmanursing.org to your address book to ensure you receive communication regarding your submission.
Submission Information and Guidelines:
Award Criteria and Deadlines for Entries
Please visit Sigma's 2027 Honorary Membership site for award criteria, scoring rubric and past recipients. For more information about the International Awards for Nursing Excellence, including eligibility and award criteria, please contact the Sigma Awards at 888.634.7575 US/Canada, +1.317.634.8171 International or awards@sigmanursing.org
ELIGIBILITY
Honorary membership is granted to individuals throughout the world who are not eligible for regular membership but have demonstrated sustained superior achievements that have contributed to the advancement of nursing and healthcare at the national or global levels. Any active Sigma member or chapter may nominate a person for honorary membership.
CRITERIA
A nomination should address a majority of the following criteria:
1. Demonstrates a commitment to the mission and vision of Sigma
2. Makes a sustained national or global impact on nursing and healthcare
3. Demonstrates superior achievement and leadership in their field of work SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Submission Requirements
Documents required below should address a majority of the above criteria. Entries that do not meet the requirements below will be disqualified.
A complete nomination consists of:
• Online entry form
• Supporting narrative, from the nominator (1-2 pages)
• Two letters of support from diverse sources supporting the criteria (interprofessional colleague, supervisor, coworker, etc.―excluding nominator)
• Nominee’s curriculum vitae
• Supporting documentation as evidence of nominee’s contribution as outlined in the criteria above (not to exceed 10 pages)
All award entries and supporting materials must be submitted via this online submission system. (Follow the hyperlinks on this page). Hard copies sent through the mail will NOT be accepted.
• Submissions may be uploaded in the following file types:
• Word document (*.doc/*.docx)
• PDF document (*.pdf)
• GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF format (*.gif/*.jpg/*.png/*.tif/)
• WMV, WMA, MOV, WAV, AIFF format (*.wmv/*.wma/*.mov/*.aif/)
• Click Here for supporting document definitions
• Submissions should NOT exceed 10 MB.
• Award entries must be in English.
• All communication regarding the award nomination will be sent to a designated primary contact. A valid e-mail address is required for all submitters.
Notification
Nominees and nominators will be notified by letter of the judges' decisions by February 2027. For questions/concerns regarding notifications, please contact awards@sigmanursing.org.