Updates



Leadership Education Grant recipient found renewed motivation and direction

Sigma’s International Nursing Research Congress was a transformative milestone in Dr. Restituta Tan's nursing career that was made possible by a Sigma Foundation for Nursing Leadership Education Grant. As a nursing educator and researcher, Dr. Tan found herself immersed in a rich tapestry of global perspectives and cutting-edge research presentations that expanded her professional horizons.

Restituta Tan speaking at congress in 2024"The diversity of perspectives and the breadth of knowledge shared by nurse researchers across the globe were truly astounding," reflects Dr. Tan, emphasizing how congress connected her with nursing professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds and practice settings. The experience illuminated the universal nature of scientific inquiry and the collaborative spirit driving evidence-based nursing practice worldwide.

The grant enabled Dr. Tan to participate in valuable professional development opportunities, including a pre-conference workshop on grant-writing and research career development. Her engagement with fellow researchers fostered meaningful connections that have opened doors for future international collaborations. Congress also provided a platform for her to present her innovative research Mapping Flexible Learning Modalities in Nursing Education: A Synthesis From Evidence During the COVID-19 Pandemic. She shared insights about remote learning strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and its learning outcomes to add to the existing knowledge in nursing education and research and received constructive feedback from global experts that will enhance her work's impact.

"The opportunity given to me as a Leadership Education grantee reinforced my commitment to contributing to global research efforts and left me with a renewed sense of motivation and direction in my nursing journey," Dr. Tan shares with heartfelt appreciation. This inspiration extends beyond her personal growth, as she plans to share her insights and newfound knowledge with her local community of nursing educators and researchers.

The Leadership Education Grant's impact on Dr. Tan exemplifies how donor support creates ripple effects throughout the nursing profession, empowering dedicated professionals to advance nursing science and education on both local and global scales. Donations to the Foundation's leadership fund help nurses like Dr. Tan attend Sigma events around the world. Donate here » 

The deadline to apply for a Leadership Education Grant for congress 2025 is Monday, 17 February. Learn more »  

Thank you to all of our 2023–2024 donors

Your contributions to the Foundation are what exclusively fund essential grants and scholarships. You helped make the following possible in fiscal year 2024 (ending 30 June 2024):

  • 30 nurse leaders, representing 14 countries and all global regions, received assistance to attend Sigma events.
  • 382 Sigma inductees, representing 6 countries and 5 global regions, received membership subsidies.
  • UN Liaisons and Youth Representatives participated in invaluable activities that further Sigma’s mission to develop nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere.
  • 35 research studies, representing 8 countries and 5 global regions, received funding.

Visit the 2023-2024 annual donors list. Review the fiscal year 2024 financial report.



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Represent

At the heart of Represent, the 2023–2025 Organizational Call to Action, lies a compelling framework built on three pillars: Reflect, Respect, and Respond.

The call to respond is a direct challenge to take meaningful action in two critical areas: ensure the sustainability and growth of our organization by responding to the financial barriers that prevent new inductees from joining Sigma and to the evolving demands of our profession by championing nursing research, which forms the foundation of evidence-based practice and drives innovation in patient care. Through generous contributions to the leadership fund, we can provide membership subsidies that open doors for the next generation of nursing leaders. Gifts to the research fund provide grants for nurses worldwide.

Did you know?

Make two or more donations in the biennium to be celebrated in Sandra Bibb’s President’s Circle.



Edith Anderson Membership Subsidy recipient spotlight: Jayflor L. Ronquillo

The Edith Anderson Membership Subsidy underwrites up to 75% of the annual Sigma membership fees of those requiring financial assistance.

"As a dedicated nursing professional with aspirations to become a future leader and researcher, the Edith Anderson Membership Subsidy has been transformative for my career. Thanks to this support, I have gained access to vital professional networks that have connected me with experienced mentors and peers in the field. These connections have been instrumental in advancing my research and leadership skills.

The subsidy provided me with membership to Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, granting me access to cutting-edge journals, research databases, and continuing education opportunities. This has been crucial in keeping me abreast of the latest advancements and trends in nursing research, enabling me to conduct my own studies with confidence and competence. Furthermore, the leadership development programs available through the organization have significantly enhanced my ability to lead and hoping to inspire others. The training and resources have equipped me with the skills necessary to drive innovation and effect meaningful change in the nursing field.

The Edith Anderson Membership Subsidy has not only supported my professional growth but has also elevated my ability to contribute to the nursing community as an educator, researcher, and leader. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities it has provided and look forward to continuing my journey with the invaluable resources and support it offers."

Invest in nurses like Jayflor! Donations to the Foundation's leadership fund help inductees or members accept or retain their Sigma membership. Donate today »

New scholarship and grant to be awarded in 2025

Thanks to permanent fund donations made by Dr. Ken Dion and Dr. Dorothy Brooten to the Foundation three years ago, applications will open for a new scholarship and research grant in early 2025.

The Dion Family Fund Scholarship will be available in January for baccalaureate-prepared nurses enrolled in an accredited program pursuing an advanced degree in nursing informatics or gerontological nursing. Funding is up to US $5,000 annually.

The Dr. Dorothy Brooten Transitional Care Research Grant advances evidence-based transitional care in clinical settings and the dissemination of its impact.

Check the scholarships and grants webpages in January 2025 for details and to apply. The Foundation thanks Dr. Dion and Dr. Brooten for making donations to establish these permanent funds to help meet the demand for nursing scholarships and research grants.

Interested in donating to establish a permanent fund at Sigma Foundation for Nursing?

Contact Lynn Lambuth at lynn@sigmanursing.org.


Recently funded research grants

Pedro Gonzalez Angulo 

We are excited to share that seven research grants received their first round of funding this month, including the inaugural recipient of the Sigma Foundation for Nursing Latin America/Caribbean Nursing Research Grant, made possible by an anonymous donor. Pedro Gonzalez Angulo’s research aims to identify the relationship between attitudes towards gender violence, HIV risk perception, and alcohol consumption among migrants in transit along the southern border of Mexico through a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational, and predictive study. Learn more about the other grants funded this month.

From soul to sole

Anne Joubert 

Research grants empower nurses from every global region to advance nursing science. These grants are awarded annually and cover a variety of topics. In 2020, Anné Joubert received a Sigma small grant, which aims to encourage nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Made possible through contributions to the Sigma Foundation for Nursing’s research fund, Anné’s focus was to identify how registered nurses could achieve person-centered caring to improve diabetic foot care compliance in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Read more about Anne’s journey on Nursing Centered.


Investing in others

Sheryl Garriques-Lloyd, Foundation donor and recipient of the 2021 Dorothy Ford Buschmann Outstanding New Member Award, witnessed a fellow caregiver succumb to the very issues she worked to treat as a psychiatric nurse. She shared her wake-up call and response in an episode of Sigma's podcast, A Nurse First. Listen to the episode here. 

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