Research Grants

AWHONN awards grants to researchers who will investigate variables relevant to women's health, obstetric, and neonatal nursing. Studies that are clinically relevant and outcome-based are a priority. Projects that focus on the nurse's role in delivering cost-effective care in these subspecialties will also be considered.

Available Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
Proposal Submission Guidelines
Past AWHONN Research Recipients
Past Recipient Testimonials

Program History and Overview

The AWHONN research grants program began in 1993.  It is designed primarily for researchers who are working on first-time efforts at the beginning developments of a program of research.  The focus of the research is women's health, obstetric, or neonatal nursing phenomena. Recipients are selected by the Research Advisory Panel.

The purpose of the funding is to provide seed money, pilot funding, or total funding for small projects with promising contributions to nursing knowledge in clinical practice.  Past industry funders include Hewlett-Packard, Wyeth-Ayerst, Johnson & Johnson, Upjohn, Janetti, and Ortho.  In total since its inception, the research grant program has awarded over $200,000 to our members to carry out nursing research.

All AWHONN grants are awarded to members only. Membership must be current at the time of application and at time of selection/funding. An application for membership may accompany the proposal. If there are multiple investigators, the individual named as principal investigator must be a member. Researchers who are currently principal investigators on a federally funded grant or who have already received an AWHONN-funded research grant in the past 5 years are not eligible.

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Expectations of Researcher

• Complete the study within a 1-year timeframe (or notify AWHONN in writing as soon as possible if the study is delayed), including a progress report along with the financial accounting 1 year from receipt of the grant award.
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• Attend the AWHONN Annual Convention to receive the award.  Note: Grant funding does not cover travel or lodging expenses related to the convention.
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• Present study findings at the conclusion of the study at the AWHONN Annual Convention in the AWHONN Research Awards designated session.
  
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• Submit a report on the study in the form of a manuscript within 18 months from receipt of grant award for submission to JOGNN or other appropriate scientific or technical peer-reviewed journal.
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• Acknowledge AWHONN and industry partner in all presentations, papers, and published materials.

Available Grants

Hill-Rom, Celeste Phillips Family-Centered Maternity Care Award
$10,000

This award honors Celeste R. Phillips, EdD, RN, an internationally recognized leader and expert in the concept of Family-Centered Maternity Care. Celeste is passionate about her philosophy that the childbearing process belongs with the family.

She worked extensively with Loel Fenwick, MD, designer of the first American birthing bed and creator of the Single-Room Maternity Care Concept, to introduce that concept to hospitals and physicians throughout the United States. Celeste is a prominent, renowned figure in the maternity care community and continues to make great strides to improve health care for women and their families.

2013 Recipient: Mary Dawn Hennessy, PhD, RN, CNM


March of Dimes Comerford Freda "Saving Babies, Together®"Award
$9,000

The Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda "Saving Babies, Together®" Award is presented annually to an experienced investigator whose research reflects the common commitment of the March of Dimes and AWHONN to promote the health of women and newborns. The award is supported through an educational grant from the March of Dimes and named for long-time AWHONN member and nurse researcher, Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda.

2013 Recipient: Susan W. Groth, WHNP-BC, FAANP


AWHONN Novice Researcher Award
$5,000

Since 2006, AWHONN has offered a research grant award for novice researchers. Funding comes from charitable contributions from members.  The award is intended to assist new researchers to begin areas of study, investigate clinical issues and/or launch a pilot study. The following criteria must be met for the Novice Research Award, as well as criteria identified for all awards under proposal guidelines:

1. The principal investigator can have received no more than a cumulative total of $5,000 of previous funding.
2. The principal investigator must have a minimum of a Masters degree or currently enrolled in a Masters program and completing a thesis or clinical research project.
3. A senior researcher must be identified to serve as a mentor. A letter of support from the mentor describing the role he/she will be implementing with the principal investigator is required with the application.

2013 Recipient: Shannon Gillespie, PhDc, MS, RN




Frequently Asked Questions
Proposal Submission Guidelines

Questions?
Email - Research Coordinator
800-673-8499 x2431