AWHONN’s commitment to nursing research and scholarship is reflected in our 31-year history of funding nursing research and promoting evidence-based nursing care. Our program is designed primarily for researchers whose efforts are on the beginning stages of a program of research. Awards are granted to researchers whose proposals investigate variables relevant to 2024-2028 Research Priorities that were sent for Public Comment in October 2023.
Novice researchers and graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals. The call for awards will open on November 1, 2024 and will close on December 6, 2024 at 8 pm eastern . Studies that are clinically focused and outcome based are a priority. Projects that focus on the nurse’s role in delivering cost-effective care in these subspecialties are encouraged and will also be considered. Please review the proposal submission guidelines and 2019-2024 Research Priorities for more information, and refer back to these pages as they will be updated with the 2024-2028 Priorities.
Studies that are clinically focused and outcome based are a priority. Projects that focus on the nurse’s role in delivering cost-effective care in these subspecialties are encouraged and will also be considered.
Corporate funders and charitable contributions to Every Woman, Every Baby from AWHONN members have totaled more than $760,000, distributed to our researchers. We are grateful to those who support AWHONN’s research priorities and recognize the value of expanding nursing research.
AWHONN grant recipients have excelled in their careers and have many accomplishments such as becoming deans and professors, Fulbright Scholars, Chief Nurse Executives, Advanced Practice Nurses, and renowned authors. The results from recipients’ research are shared at the AWHONN’s annual convention, and publication in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) or Nursing for Women’s Health (NWH) is encouraged.
AWHONN Research Award Recipients
The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has announced the recipients of three research awards. The recipients are:
AWHONN Every Woman, Every Baby Research Awards
- Samantha Bernstein, PhD, RNC-OB, IBCLC, CNE, CNL – A Mixed-Methods Assessment of Obstetric Nurses’ Use of Workarounds
Lisa Grisham, MS, NNP-BC – Effect of Babywearing on Acute Reactivity of Cortisol and Oxytocin in Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Feasibility Study
Lauren Narbey, MSN, MSc, CNM, WHNP-BC, FACNM – Pattern of Breastfeeding Among Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder and Integration of Lactation
AWHONN congratulates the 2024 Research Award recipients!
The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has announced the recipients of four research awards. The recipients are:
AWHONN Every Woman, Every Baby Research Awards
- Elizabeth Bufink, MS, RN – Nurses’ Perspectives of Safe Sleep Education in the Prenatal Appointment: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
- Gail Elliott, PhD, RN – Nurses’ Attitudes of Patients with Perinatal Substance Use Disorder, A Mixed-Methods Study
Lauren E. Hicks, PhD, BSN, RN – Qualitative Content Analysis Exploring Racial Disparities in Prenatal Care through Patient-Provider Communication - Stacey Iobst, PhD, RNC-OB, C-EFM – Relationships among Autonomy in Decision-Making, Respect, and Perinatal Depression in U.S. Maternity Care
AWHONN congratulates the 2023 Research Award recipients!
The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has announced the recipients of two research awards totaling $20,000. The recipients are:
AWHONN Every Woman, Every Baby Research Awards
Anisa Thomas, PhD, RN – EWEB Award of $10,000
Yang Yu, PhD, MPH – EWEB Award of $10,000
March of Dimes Margaret Comerford Freda “Saving Babies, Together®” Award
Erin George, MSN, CNM, IBCLC – March of Dimes of $5,000
AWHONN congratulates the 2022 Research Award recipients.
The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has announced the recipients of three research awards for 2021 totaling $22,000. The recipients and their grant proposals are:
AWHONN Every Woman, Every Baby Awards
Mary Hoberg, MSN, Ed., RN, PhD(c)
“Improving Understanding and Detection of Postpartum Anxiety”
Jennifer Heck, PhD, RNC-NIC, CNE
“Engaging Tribal Community Stakeholders to Enhance Indigenous Women’s Postpartum Depression Care”
March of Dimes Margaret Comerford Freda “Saving Babies, Together®” Award
Rachel Blankstein Breman, PhD, MSN, MPH, RN
“Exploring the Validity of CHOICEs, a Shared Decision-Making Tool for Perinatal Care”
AWHONN congratulates the 2021 Research Award recipients.
The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has announced the recipients of three research awards in 2020. The recipients :
AWHONN Every Woman, Every Baby Novice Research Awards
Rachel Dieterich, RN, MSN
Thao Griffith, PhD, RN
Dawn Hawthorne, PhD, RN
EWEB Novice Researcher Award: Hill-ROM Celeste Phillips Family-Centered Maternity Care
Kodiak Soled, MSN, RN
AWHONN congratulates the 2020 Research Award recipients.
Research Priorities and Researcher Expectations
The AWHONN women’s and neonatal health research priorities focus on the development, dissemination, and utilization of knowledge to guide clinical nursing practice. The research priorities recommendations from the Research Advisory Panel encompass nursing care of women across their lifespan, including childbearing and newborn care, as well as professional issues in nursing practice.
- Nursing Research and Scholarship
- Implementation Science/Translational Research
- Normal Birth
- Mental Health
- Patient Safety using Nurse Sensitive Outcomes
The Research Advisory Panel members discussed and described the relevance of the priorities for AWHONN members and their interconnectedness. For example, increasing normal births will reduce the number of women who experience post-traumatic stress disorder related to a traumatic birthing experience. Reducing overuse of interventions will improve patient safety and nurse sensitive outcomes.
- Maintain AWHONN membership during funding period.
- Attend scheduled orientation and conference calls for new grant recipients (generally July and following January after award granted) and submit progress reports.
- Complete the study within a 1-year timeframe and submit final report.
- Provide budget updates at 6-months and one-year of the funding period.
- Travel to the AWHONN Annual Convention the year granted to receive award. Note: Grant funding does not cover registration, travel or lodging expenses related to the convention.
- Present study findings two years after awarded at the AWHONN Annual Convention during the AWHONN Research Symposium designated session.
- Submit a manuscript of the awarded proposal within 18 months from conclusion of the study to the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, Neonatal Nursing or other appropriate scientific or technical peer-reviewed journal.
- Acknowledge AWHONN and corporate funders in all presentations, papers, and published materials.
Grants Awarded to AWHONN
2021
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Maternal Immunization Grant
2022
Merck for Mothers
Save Your Life Handout Evaluation
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) through the University of Alaska – Anchorage (UAA)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (WHNMCAP #2)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) through theAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Maternal Immunization Grant
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) through the American Nurses Association (ANA)
Project First Line
Kimberly-Clark (Huggies)
Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) Research Project
Iowa Department of Public Health
Count the Kicks Evaluation of Fetal Movement Pathway
BWHI (AWHONN is a subcontractor)
Nurse Incivility
Research FAQs
A. Each grant proposal that meets submission criteria is reviewed by at least 3 research experts after the due date. They are members of the Research Advisory Panel who then determine the final grant recipients after the final IRB due date.
A. AWHONN is responsible for ensuring that the selected recipients will carry out the research proposal as outlined in the application.
A. No. A formal letter from your IRB committee must be submitted with your application that states the final IRB decision for approval or exemption will be on or before February 28, 2025.
A. Yes. Research studies already begun are considered, unless they are federally funded. It must be clearly stated in the budget and abstract/narrative that the proposal submitted is in progress.
A. No. AWHONN does not cover the above items. However, electronic devices and computer software necessary to carry out the proposed research will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Principal Investigator must clearly demonstrate the need and usage of such items for the research project. Additionally, AWHONN will not be responsible for costs associated with electronic device or computer software updates or upgrades.
A. Yes. In the budget, please list your requested budget from AWHONN and your requested funds from all other sources (this includes if you already have funding for your proposal).
A. The salary is meant to support a research or graduate assistant or other support staff. No Principal or Sub-Investigators may use the grant funds for salary.
A. If previously awarded by AWHONN, there must be a 5 year period before receiving grant funds again.
A. Research grants are open to all student and full members. E-Members are ineligible to apply.
A. No, the AWHONN grants are only available to AWHONN members who are living and conducting their research within the United States.
A. Applicants must complete the 2025 Research Grant Application using the online form. It is advised and highly encouraged that applicants gather their documents first then begin the online application. Refer to the Proposal Submission Guidelines within the application on what is required. The deadline to submit is December 6, 2024.
Applicants are to submit one application, with the entirety of it in one PDF file. Applicants will receive an auto-reply email upon submission. Incomplete entries are not saved and applications will not be accepted by mail, fax or email.
A. Individual student or full AWHONN members can apply for a research award (we do not award to groups or institutions). The Principal Investigator’s membership must be current at the time of proposal submission and funding selection. If awarded, the PI’s membership must remain current through the funding period.
Past Recipient Testimonials
Past AWHONN Research Recipients
Questions?
Email – Mark Arucan
Phone: (202) 261-2402
