Research Program Grant

PURPOSE

The purpose of the International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) Research Grant is to support innovative, high-quality research that advances the integration of genetics and genomics into nursing science, practice, education, and health policy. This grant is intended to support pilot or early-stage research with strong potential to generate preliminary data for future funding. Scientific merit of grant applications is the primary criteria for funding decisions.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• The applicant must be a member of ISONG in good standing.
• The applicant must be the principal investigator (PI) of the proposed study.
• The applicant must be a student, post-doc, or early career researcher who has completed their terminal research degree within the past 10 years and who has not previously competed successfully as PI for a substantial foundation or government independent research award of more than $50,000. Individual training grants (e.g., F31, F32, K awards) with the applicant as the PI are acceptable.
• The applicant has not previously received an ISONG Research Grant.

GUIDELINES FOR LETTER OF INTENT

• Deadline: June 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT.
• Submit via online link ISONG Research Grant Letter of Intent Submission.
• Letter of intent is required for subsequent submission of a grant application. Applications submitted without a letter of intent will not be accepted.
• Letters of intent not adhering to the guidelines will not be accepted.
• Required formatting: Submit as a single PDF file with 0.5-inch margins on all sides, using no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced text, and AMA-style references.
• Required components: proposal title, institution sponsor, and one paragraph description of the proposal.

GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL APPLICATION

Deadline: June 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT.

Required formatting: Submit as a single PDF file with 0.5-inch margins on all sides, using no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced text, and AMA-style references.

Required components:

1. Abstract: Maximum 300 words.
   
   
2. Specific Aims: Maximum one page. Discuss the overall goal(s) and what the specific research proposed in this application is intended to accomplish; state the research questions/aims or hypothesis to be tested.
   
   
3. Proposal narrative: Maximum five pages.

   Background and significance: Briefly address the background leading to the proposed study; critically evaluate existing knowledge and identify scientific or methodological gaps that the project is intended to fill; identify the importance of the research in terms of its contribution to genetic health nursing and potential for leading to further research or translation in clinical practice; and summarize the theoretical framework as appropriate.

   Research design and methods: Describe the research design and procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the study; provide a timeline for the project; include how the data will be collected, analyzed and interpreted; describe potential study limitations; and provide anticipated timeline for the study. This section should be organized in the following manner: design, setting, sample, procedures, data analysis plan, potential pitfalls, alternative strategies, and timeline.

4. References: Provide numbered references formatted in a consistent AMA style.
   
   
5. Biographical sketch: NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form and Biographical Sketch Supplement for PI.
   
   
6. Budget and justification: The total budget must not exceed $1,500. Only direct costs associated with the proposed study are allowable. PI salary support and travel expenses are not permitted. A brief budget justification must be included. Include amounts for each category as applicable.
   • Personnel Research Assistant

   • Personnel (other-specify)

   • Supplies (specify; e.g., cost of instruments)

   • Equipment (specify; e.g., computer program)

   • Other Expenses (specify)

   • Total Amount Requested

   • Justification -  Provide justification for all expenditures

7. Letters of Support: Include letters of support as applicable to the proposed project.
   
   

8. Appendices: Include appendices as applicable (e.g., instruments, measures, or supporting materials).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FUNDING

The ISONG Research Grant awardee must acknowledge the 2026 ISONG Research Grant as a funding source in all publications, presentations, and/or posters. 

FINAL REPORT EXPECTATIONS

• Upon the completion of the study, the ISONG Research Grant awardee is expected to submit a final report via the online link ISONG Research Grant Final Report Submission.
  
  
• Required formatting: Submit as a single PDF file with 0.5-inch margins on all sides, using no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced text, and AMA-style references. Submit as a single PDF file with 0.5-inch margins on all sides, using no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced text, and AMA-style references.
  
  
• Required components:
• • Abstract: Maximum 300 words.
  • Summary of findings: Maximum one page.
  • Dissemination records: publications, presentations, and/or posters, etc.

DISSEMINATION EXPECTATIONS

Upon the completion of the study, the ISONG Research Grant awardee is expected to attend and present findings as an oral presentation at the annual ISONG World Congress.

Deadlines:

• Letter of Intent: Monday, June 1, 2026 see below. Submit via online link here.
• Submit Research Grant Project proposal: Monday, June 29, 2026 see below Submit online here.  
• Final report: 90 days following the end of the one-year funding. Click here to see the final report.

Letter of Intent

ISONG Research Grant Proposal Submission

EDUCATION PROJECT GRANT

The purpose of the ISONG Education Project Award is to fund projects related to the mission of ISONG, specifically, to promote academic and clinical education for genetic/genomic nursing knowledge and practice.  Funding may be used for new or ongoing projects that will contribute to the expansion of genetic/genomic knowledge. The funds are available for one year.

Eligibility:

Deadlines:

Letter of Intent

Submit Education Project Proposal

Letter of Intent: Upload pdf online here.   Letter should include project title, aims of project, and institution where project will take place. This letter is not to decide who may apply, but rather to help the Education Committee co-chairs to plan for the review process.

Project Examples: Examples include development and design of courses, educational assessment measures/strategies, evaluation of educational methods or educational tool kits. Research projects that directly advance genetic/genomic knowledge among nurses may be considered if the Project Leader or a team member has expertise in the research methods proposed.

Scoring Rubric: Applicants are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the scoring rubric linked to the Education Project Award announcement on the ISONG webpage. Most questions about structuring the proposal can be answered by reviewing the scoring criteria.

Final Report: The Project Leader is responsible for completing and electronically submitting a final report of the work to the chairs of the Education Committee by the above deadline. The report will include the below and click the Final Report form to submit. 

• Summary of project goals/aims
• Design and/or procedures
• Summary of outcomes
• Recommendations and brief reflection
• Publications or presentations of project, completed and planned
• Acknowledgement of ISONG funding support 

EDUCATION AWARD PROPOSAL APPLICATION SPECIFICATIONS

Use a 12-point font and at least 1.0-inch margins. The elements of the proposal are as follows:

Project Title:

Project Aim(s):

Project Description: (maximum 800 words total): 1. Background and significance: Discuss the significance of this project and the gap(s) it will address. Describe innovative aspects of the project. 2. Design/Approach: Describe the project design, procedures, and the methods/instruments to be used.  3. Impact: Describe how project success will be measured and how it will have a significant impact on genetic/genomic nursing and education locally or worldwide. Describe any plans for dissemination of materials created and for sustainability of the project.

The following items are NOT included in the 800-word maximum:

References: All citations noted in project description must appear in the reference list in the most recent APA format.

Personnel and Environment: Provide the following for the Project Leader and each team member: Name, credentials, affiliation, email address, and short paragraph describing each individual’s expertise and anticipated contribution to this specific project. Append a curriculum vitae of the Project Manager and for each of the team members. Describe any institutional support or resources that will be used.

Proposed Timeline for this Project: List all steps of the project with the dates each step will be completed.

Budget and Budget Justification: Describe how the funds will be spent. Be specific and provide justification for each item. Examples of appropriate requests include but are not limited to: printing materials such as brochures or posters, video production, purchase of books or other proprietary materials, software, fees for listservs, participant compensation or cost of instruments, consultation with experts such as librarians or graphic artists. Note: Funds cannot be used to subsidize the Project Leader or team member salaries, conference registrations, or travel/accommodation expenses.

Does this project include research involving human subjects? _____yes    _____no

If yes, what Institutional Review Board (IRB) will approve the proposal? A copy of the signed and dated IRB approval (in English) must be submitted to the Education Committee Chair(s) before release of the funds.

 Have you previously requested funding for the ISONG Education Project Award? __Yes ___No

Has there been previous funding from ISONG for this project?  ____Yes  ____No  If yes, specify the amount received and date: _______

Will additional funding be needed for completion or to meet aims of this project __Yes  __No   If yes, please explain the amount and the plan for obtaining additional funding:

Appendices: May include instruments to be used, IRB approvals, letters of support (required from the supervising faculty member if the Project Leader is a student), or biosketches/ curriculum vitae of consultants. Additional documents may be requested at the discretion of the Chair(s).

CLINICAL PRACTICE GRANT

ISONG members working in the clinical arena are invited to apply for a $1,500.00 grant to complete a clinical project in your area of expertise.  The clinical project should help promote patient care and/or address a gap in genomic clinical care. Projects must be completed within one year and project success is measurable.

Deadlines:

• Letter of Intent: Monday, June 1, 2026 see below. Submit via link online here
• Submit Clinical Grant Project Proposal: Monday, June 29, 2026 see below. Submit online here.

Final report: 90 days following the end of the one-year funding. Click here to see the final report. 

Letter of Intent

Submit Clinical Grant Project Proposal

Letter of Intent:

• Applicant must complete a Letter of Intent due no later than June 1, 2026 which includes the following information. Please upload in one PDF file.
• • Project title
  • Primary aim or outcome of the project
  • Patient population
  • Your position within the clinical organization
  • Specify how project success will be measured
  • Indicate timeframe that project will be completed.  Note that the project must be completed within one year

Clinical Grant Proposal Application Form Specifications

Project Examples: Example can include, be but not limited to:

• quality improvement projects
• clinical tool kits
• patient educational materials
• improving delivery of care models

Clinical Grant Submission Specifications:

• Applicant must be a current member of ISONG and involved in clinical practice
• Applicant must disclose if funding from ISONG for this project has been previously provided

Title of Project:

Aim/s of Project:

Patient Population:

Project Design or Description:  (800 word maximum): Suggestions for items to include in narrative:

• Identify gap in clinical care, practice model, or patient care delivery that will be addressed by project.  
• Describe how project success will be measured.
• Identify members of your team.
• Describe setting or environment in which project will be completed
• Describe plans for the project to be sustained after grant funding ends

Budget Justification -  Provide justification for all expenditures:

Approximate timeline:

Scoring Rubric: Applicants are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the scoring rubric linked to the Clinical Grant Project Award. Most questions about structuring the proposal can be answered by reviewing the scoring criteria.

Final Report: The Project Leader is responsible for completing and electronically submitting a final report of the work to the chairs of the Education Committee by the above deadline.

Awarding grant funding is competitive and will be determined through peer review of proposals by members of the ISONG Professional Practice Committee. The improved change to clinical care is the primary criterion for funding decisions.