Chapter grants and awards

  

Sigma Rho

Overview of chapter grants

Rho Chapter provides funds to support chapter members' scholarly projects (Research & Evidence-Based Projects Grant), presentations of scholarly work at conferences (Project Dissemination Grant), global health projects (Global Health Initiative Grant), professional development (Professional Development Grant), and social justice projects (Polick Fund). Support is also available for membership dues for long-term senior members (Honored Elders Membership Grant), financially needy students (New Member Dues Support), and international members (Ketefian Fund).

See below for more information and application forms each grant:

Research and Evidence-Based Projects Grant

The primary goal of the Research and Evidence-Based Project Funding Committee of Sigma is to support members' scholarly work.

Allocation of funds is based on the quality of the proposed project, evaluated according to the outline for Research Project of Evidence-Based Project listed below. The amount of the award will be determined by the funds available to the Committee, with a maximum award of $1,000. Awards will be presented at the Rho Chapter Induction and Awards Ceremony.
 

Criteria

Applicants for awards must:
  1. Be a Sigma member; in the case of teams, at least one participant of the team needs to be a member of Sigma and each Sigma member wishing acknowledgment of the award should attach a separate application to the team's proposal
  2. Have a well-defined project pertinent to nursing.
  3. Students are required to have their faculty advisor review their application to ensure that it is ready for submission.
 Applicants must fill out an application form and submit a copy of their project proposal, postmarked or emailed no later than September 30 for consideration for a Fall award and postmarked or emailed no later than January 31 for a Spring award. Special calls will have their own due date. Submit applications to:
Mary DeBardeleben, Rho Chapter Administrative Assistant
 
Upon completion of the project, funding recipients must submit a brief report which includes a summary of results and implications for nursing practice. If the project is not completed one year following acceptance of the award, the recipient must submit an interim report of their activities.
 

Outline for preparation of grant proposals

Grant proposals should be typed and no longer than five (5) pages. Applicants should submit a copy of their proposal, using the appropriate outline below. When preparing budgets, only include expenses for conducting the project. Expenses associated with academic requirements (e.g., thesis copies, binding) will not be funded. Travel requests will not be funded.  Travel requests may be made through the Project Dissemination Grants or through the Global Health Initiative Grants using this website.

Please respond to each requirement listed below in the proposal:

 
Research project proposals

  1. Specific Aims: state concisely and realistically what the project is intended to accomplish, and/or what research questions are to be addressed and/or what hypotheses are to be tested

  2. Background: briefly review the literature which substantiates the specific aims of the project

  3. Methods: describe the procedure to be used to accomplish the specific aims; include a description of and the rationale for special equipment and/or instruments to be used; if a survey questionnaire or interview is to be used, attach a copy of the instrument to the proposal

  4. Human or Animal Subjects: provide evidence of approval from the appropriate agency review committee for use of test subjects

  5. Significance: identify gaps which the project is intended to fill; make clear the nursing implications of the project; state the importance of the project by relating specific aims to longer-term objectives

  6. Budget: submit an outline of the actual or projected costs for the entire project

 
Evidence-based project proposals
  1. Specific Aims and Significance: state what the project is intended to accomplish, what clinical questions are to be addressed and why they are important
  2. Evidence Synthesis: briefly summarize the current research evidence and describe how this evidence supports a specific practice change
  3. Implementation: describe the specific practice change, how it will be carried out, and how project outcomes will be evaluated. Include a timeline for implementation and copies of measurement tools to be used in evaluation
  4. Budget: submit an outline of the actual or projected costs for the entire project 
  5.  
Download the application: Sigma Research Grant Application form.

See past winners

2017
Leila Cherara BScN, MS, RN, DNP
Topic: A Fall Prevention Training to Improve Nurses' Knowledge and Behavior
 
2013
Jesus (Jessie) M. Casida, PhD, RN, APN-C, CCRN-CSC
Topic: Psychometric Evaluation of LVAD Patient and Caregiver Self-Efficacy and Adherence Scales
 
2012
Michelle Munro, MS, CNM, FNP-BC, PhD Candidate, RN
Topic: To B or not to B? Plan B and Post-Assault Comprehensive Care
Cynthia Arslanian-Engoren, PhD, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, FAHA
Topic: Cognitive dysfunction in elders hospitalized for acute heart failure
 
2010
Yun-Ping Lin, PhD, RN
Topic: Work Environment and psychosocial factors affecting physical activity among Taiwanese information technology workers
Mary Chappel, MS, RN
Topic: The relationship between health literacy and cognitive ability in older adults
Stephen Strobbe, PhD, RN, NP, PMHCNS-BC
Topic: Alcoholics Anonymous: Attendance, Affiliation and Drinking Outcomes in a Polish Treatment Sample
 
2008
Jeffrey Adams, PhD, RN, Debra Denham, PhD, RN and Tanya Osborne-McKenzie, BSN, RN
Topic: Evaluation of Message Articulation During Shift to Shift Hand-Over:
Validating the World Health Organization's "Communication During Patient Hand-Over" Framework
Chin Hwa (Gina) Yi, PhD, FNP-C, RN
Topic: African American Women & Prenatal Care: Effect of Client-Provider Interaction
 
2007
Jennifer Wayment Allen, MS, APRN-BC
Topic: The Lived Experience of Women with NYHA Class III Heart Failure: A Phenomenological Study
Soohyun Park, PhD, RN
Topic: Effect of Preferred Music on Agitation after Traumatic Brain Injury
Christine Robertson
Topic: Assessing Nurses’ Knowledge of Patient's Depression Post Myocardial Infarction
Sharon L. Smith, PhD, RN
Topic: The Transition of Chief Nurse Executives into Chief Executive Officer Roles
 
2004
Nah-Mee Shin, PhD candidate, MSN, RN
Topic: Effects of Resilient coping capacity on Depression in patients with Acute Coronary Events (ERDACE)
 
2003
Veronica Pollack, MS, RN
Topic: Parent's Impressions of Trust in Parent/Provider Relationships
 
2002
Wendy Looman, MS, RN
Topic: Measuring Social Capital in families of Children with Chronic Conditions: Instrument Development and Testing
Sharon L. Dormire, PhD, RN
Topic: The Role of Glucose in Menopausal Hot Flashes
Barbara Kupferschmid. PhD candidate, RN
Topic: Cognitive and Behavioral Responses to Acute Activation of the Immune System
 
2001
Elizabeth Beattie, PhD, RN
Topic: Functional Eating Behavior in Ambulatory Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: the Role of Level of Cognitive Impairment, Agitation and Table Leaving
Colleen Corte, MS, RN
Topic: Content and Structure of the Self-Concept in Antisocial Alcohol Abuse, Dependence, and Recovery
Bonnie L. Metzger, PhD, RN, FAAN
Topic: Characteristics of the Startle Response in People with Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type: A Pilot Study
Terri Voepel-Lewis, MS, RN
Topic: Reliability and Validity of the FLACC Behavioral Pain Scale as a measure of Postoperative Pain in Cognitively Impaired Children
 
2000
Surintorn Kalamoakorn
Topic: Stages of Construction Workers' Use of Hearing Protection.
 
1999
Cynthia Arslanian-Engoren
Topic: The triaging of men and women for coronary artery disease: Knowledge, experience, or bias.
Sonia Duffy
Topic: The effect of smoking, alcohol consumption, and depression on the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients.
Paula Ross-Durow
Topic: Factors which predict psychological functioning in women raped by strangers.
Deborah Walker
Topic: Nurse-midwives attitudes and use of reduced frequency prenatal visit schedules.
 
1998
Deborah Vincent, PhD, RN
Topic: A cost analysis of two academic-based nursing centers.
Terri Voepel-Lewis, MS, RN, Shobha Malviya, MD, & Alan R. Tait, PhD
Topic: Relationship between temperament and post anesthesia recovery in children.
Shelia Crowley, PhD, RN, AOCN
Topic: The Effect of a Structured Exercise Program on Fatigue, Strength, Endurance, Physical Self-Efficacy, and Functional Wellness in Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer

Project Dissemination Grant

This award is intended for Rho Chapter members to support presentations of professional work at educational and scholarly conferences. The award may be used to support transportation, conference registration fee, and cost of hotel at a nursing conference, sponsored by a national nursing organization or one of its chapters. A member may receive no more than $500 annually.
 

Criteria:

  • Be a Rho Chapter member for at least one year
  • Until the 4th quarter of a fiscal year, a person who received funds the previous fiscal year is ineligible
  • Funds must be used to support attendance at a nursing conference
    where member is presenting scholarly work related to members’ nursing
    practice.
 

Process:

1. Applicants must complete and submit the application form (see link below)

2. The Rho Chapter Executive Board (President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Faculty Counselor) will review applications at the next regular Board meeting. The Board may choose to review and approve applications by email at the Board's discretion.

3. Three Executive Board members (simple majority) must approve each application.

4. To obtain reimbursement, the member must send proof of attendance and a one paragraph summary of the scholarly presentation to the Rho/Treasurer. The summary may be published in the Chapter newsletter.

5. The Treasurer will send a check for reimbursable expenses after applicant submits proof of conference attendance.

Honored Elders Membership Grant

This award is intended for long-time members of Rho Chapter over 70 years of age who wish to maintain their chapter affiliation. Rho Chapter recognizes that membership dues may be a financial burden for some retired members; this award is intended to assist them to continue active membership.

Criteria:

Applicants for grants must:
  • Be Sigma Rho chapter members for at least 10 years
  • Be at least 70 years of age
  • Have retired from nursing and no longer working Full Time
  • Submit a request for Rho Chapter assistance annually

Process:

1. Applicants must submit their request by August 31 each year to Rho
Chapter Faculty Counselor.

2. Rho Chapter Faculty Counselor will review requests in September.

3. Applicants will be notified of approval by September 30. Faculty
Counselor will send names of recipients to Rho Treasurer who will process
dues payment.

4. Rho Chapter support staff will contact award recipients annually
by August 1 to renew request for assistance.

This grant is given to promising nursing students who are advancing health equity and social justice via their nursing science, research, quality improvement, and innovation projects. The grant was established through the generous donation of Carri Polick, PhD, RN, an alumna of the School of Nursing and Rho Chapter member, along with her husband, Scott. This award is intended to support students’ health equity or social justice work. Awards are available for up to $500 and can be used to support the recruitment of project participants (e.g., offering gift cards), purchasing access to data, software, or study materials, travel money for engaging with the community or disseminating their work. Four awards may be given each year, with priority to fund one student from each of the following programs:  BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD. Applications for the award will be reviewed by Rho Board members, who will select the awardees. The awardees will be honored, and awards presented at the Rho Chapter Annual Induction and Awards Ceremony. Applications are due by December 31 each year. Download the application.

The purpose of this grant is to enable students to advance their education and scholarly work focused on women’s reproductive health including the full spectrum of care honoring a women’s right to choose. The grant was established through the generous donation of Patricia Krapohl’s family to honor her 50 years as a Sigma member. Funds may be used to support scholarly projects including recruitment of project participants (e.g., offering gift cards), purchasing access to data, software, study materials, conference attendance, and/or to disseminate results of projects on women’s reproductive health. Awards are available up to $500. Award applications are due by February 1 each year. Download the application.

 

Background

After graduating from the first 4 year BSN class in 1956, Patricia Krapohl took an early interest in women’s reproductive health matters including the full spectrum of care and honoring a women’s right to choose.. With her husband, Dr. Andrew J. Krapohl an OB-GYN, they established a private practice clinic in Jackson, Michigan where they were on the leading edge of in-office clinical education and procedures focused on reproductive health and well-being. Patricia and her husband have been retired since 1999 but remained active in their professions for many years participating in local, regional, and state nursing and medical committee work and educational endeavors. She has worked for Planned Parenthood, the Florence Crittenton Home, in hospital settings and as a clinical nurse specialist in private practice, along with several faculty positions. She has conducted research and created many educational programs related to women’s health, women’s choice, breastfeeding, and maternal and child health. In addition to Sigma, Patricia has been a member of the American Fertility Society and The North American Menopause Society. The education of nurses has always been an important priority for Patricia, and it is her desire to help support through Sigma Rho Chapter those that aspire to nursing excellence.

The Ketefian Fund

The Ketefian Fund pays membership dues in Sigma Rho Chapter for U of M School of Nursing international scholars and graduate students from middle- and low-income countries. This support was established through the generous donation of Dr. Shaké Ketefian, Professor Emerita and former director of the Office of International Affairs at the School of Nursing. To learn which countries qualify, visit this link and scroll to the bottom of the page:

Rho Chapter welcomes all inquiries from international scholars and graduate students from these countries. Please contact the Rho Chapter Faculty Counselor for information about the membership application process.

Professional Development Grant

The overall aim of this grant is to assist Rho members with activities related to their professional development. The specific purpose is to help members attend conferences or apply for professional certification. Grants are available up to $250 and funds may be used for registration fee for a professional conference or for preparation materials or application fees for professional certification.

Any active Rho member who is currently employed in professional nursing practice is eligible for these funds. Submit your application by downloading the form here and sending to the address listed on the form. 

Global Health Initiative Grant

The purpose of this grant is to support Rho members who are engaged in projects to advance global health. The overall aim to provide service that promotes health in local communities across the world as well as advance Rho members’ scholarship and leadership development. Grants are available up to $500 and funds may be used for travel, housing, or project-related equipment, as well as travel-related expenses such as visas.

Any active Rho member is eligible for this grant, including students, faculty, and nurses engaged in practice. Download the application and budget forms.

Rho Chapter provides a limited number of grants to support membership dues. These grants are for students who have received an invitation to join Sigma but indicate that the fees for membership pose a financial hardship. To receive support from Rho Chapter, please complete Sigma Dues Financial Support Application form. If you are selected, your Sigma International Fees ($85) would be paid for you, and you would be responsible for paying the local chapter fees ($35)