National Awards

Grants-in-Aid of Research Program

Application Deadlines:
March 15 and October 15 annually.

The program awards grants of up to $1,000 to students from all areas of the sciences and engineering. Designated funds from the National Academy of Sciences(opens in new tab) allow for grants of up to $5,000 for astronomy research and $2,500 for vision related research. Students use the funding to pay for travel expenses to and from a research site, or for purchase of non-standard laboratory equipment necessary to complete a specific research project.

Each year Sigma Xi awards the William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement(opens in new tab) to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to scientific research and has demonstrated an ability to communicate this research to scientists in other disciplines. The award includes a $5,000 grant to a young colleague of the recipient’s choice.

The John P. McGovern Science and Society Award(opens in new tab) is presented annually by Sigma Xi to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to science and society. The award consists of a medal and a $5,000 honorarium. The recipient presents the annual John P. McGovern Science and Society Lecture at Sigma Xi’s annual meeting.

The Walston Chubb Award for Innovation(opens in new tab) is designed to honor and promote creativity among scientists and engineers. The award carries a $4,000 honorarium and an invitation to give a lecture at Sigma Xi’s annual meeting.

Sigma Xi’s Young Investigator Award(opens in new tab), which includes a certificate of recognition and $5,000 honorarium, was presented to its first recipient at the 1998 Annual Meeting.

The Evan Ferguson Award(opens in new tab) has been presented annually since 2008 in recognition of outstanding service to Sigma Xi and its mission. The recipient is recognized with a plaque and a lifetime subscription to American Scientist magazine.

Since 1983, noted science advocates, top science journalists and friends of research who have made important contributions to science but are not eligible for Sigma Xi membership, have been elected Honorary Members.(opens in new tab) Induction of these members is typically a highlight of the Society’s annual meeting.

The George Bugliarello Prize(opens in new tab) honors an essay, review of research or analytical article published in American Scientist magazine. A prize of $5,000 is awarded biennially

Past National Award Recipients

Grants-in-Aid Scholarship Recipients from the University of Florida