November 12, 2019

Media Contact:
Heather Thorstensen
Manager of Communications
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
hthorstensen@sigmaxi.org or (919) 549-4691 ext. 216

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC—More students from underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) will have the opportunity to receive research grants from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society than in recent years thanks to two new financial gifts. 

With gratitude, Sigma Xi has accepted $10,000 from a member, the late Joseph E. Kist, to support women in computational science and $10,000 from the Ruby K. Worner Foundation to serve underrepresented minorities and women in research. 

Sigma Xi’s Grants in Aid of Research (GIAR) program awards research funding to undergraduate and graduate students across the world in multiple scientific research disciplines. Most of the grants are worth up to $1,000. Applications are accepted by March 15 and October 1 annually. In the spring 2019 cycle, Sigma Xi awarded $139,984 to 143 students through GIAR. Some Sigma Xi chapters also award research grants to students in their local communities. 

The Kist funds will be distributed as 10 grants, each worth $1,000, through Sigma Xi chapters. The Worner funds will be distributed through the Grants in Aid of Research program, starting with students who applied by the October 1, 2019, deadline.

"Thanks to the generosity of the Kist and Worner families, Sigma Xi is able to provide more support for underrepresented minorities and women in STEM through the Grants in Aid of Research program," said Jamie Vernon, executive director and CEO of Sigma Xi. "We are excited to make these resources available to young researchers."