January 30, 2018

First grant in climate science awarded

The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) program has been funding research by undergraduate and graduate students since 1922. In the fall 2017 cycle, the Society awarded 121 grants totaling $116,096 to students. The Committee on Grants-in-Aid of Research, chaired by Peter J. Harries of North Carolina State University, selected 27 undergraduate students, 25 master’s students, and 69 doctoral candidates to receive grants. The awardees are from three countries. 

A list of recipients is available. 

For the first time, the program awarded a grant from its newest category: climate science. Anna Knochel, an undergraduate student at Rice University studying ecology and evolutionary biology, will use the $764 grant to investigate the role that viruses play in coral reef ecosystems. 

“More than anything, receiving this grant has helped solidify my confidence as a researcher,” said Knochel. This is her first grant. 

Students may apply for funding from the program twice each year at sigmaxi.org/programs/grants-in-aid. The next application deadline is March 15.

The grants are made possible by designated funds from the National Academy of Sciences and from gifts. Eighteen percent of the grant applications received in the fall 2017 cycle were funded. More grants could be awarded in future cycles if more donations are received. To support GIAR, go to https://ecommerce.sigmaxi.org/ecom/#donate. 

Sigma Xi thanks the following reviewers who evaluated 661 grant applications in the fall 2017 cycle. 

Peter Harries (Chair)* 
Asem Abdulahad
Joseph Akkara
Advait Apte
Sudharshana Apte
Heather Arnett 
Stephanie Bingham*
Charles Boklage
Drew Coleman* 
Jose Crespo*
Shawn Ellerbroek*
Paul Fletcher 
Eman Ghanem
Catherine Jahncke
Michael Lares
Cecil McManus* 
Timothy Ng
Lisa Paciulli
Ann Paterson
Padmanabhan Pattabiraman
Emma Perry* 
Megan Perry
Bhubanananda Sahu
Joanne Tillotson* 
Mary Wyer
Ann Yezerski*

*Member of the Committee on Grants-in-Aid of Research