Grants-in-Aid of Research Program

Application Deadlines: March 15 and October 15 annually.

The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) program has been providing undergraduate and graduate students with valuable educational experiences for more than 80 years. By encouraging close working relationships between students and faculty, the program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning.

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 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.

While membership in Sigma Xi is not a requirement for applying for funding from the Grants-in-Aid of Research program, approximately 75% of funds are restricted for use by dues paying student members of Sigma Xi or students whose project advisor is a dues paying member of Sigma Xi. Students from any country are eligible to receive funding.

I have received a Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research...
It was like a bigger brother came by and put his hand
on my shoulder and said, "You're worth the risk.

—Ted Uyeno, Biology Graduate Student
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Excerpted from the documentary "Sigma Xi: Making a Difference in Science and Engineering." Hear just how important Sigma Xi's GIAR program is and the effect it has had on young researchers. (2:20) PC users    Mac users

Twelve thousand miles in four months at 45mph...
We had real adventures… It was fabulous, absolutely fabulous.
And for me it was the trip that made the difference in
understanding nature and seeing the cohesiveness of life,
the interdependence of organisms; and in many ways I can say
I owe it to that $200 grant, to Sigma Xi.

—Thomas Eisner, National Medal of Science Winner
Cornell University

Excerpted from "An Interview with Thomas Eisner". View the interview and hear about Eisner's and E.O. Wilson's GIAR adventures. (9:05) PC users    Mac users

Support Sigma Xi's GIAR Centennial Campaign!