Awards and Recognition Committee

Recognitions

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Congratulations to the recipients of our 6th Recognition's for Nursing & Midwifery Excellence 2025  Benjamin Osmancevic (Croatia), Prof Francisco Sampaio (Portugal),  Prof Andreia Costa (Portugal) and Dr Adriano Friganovic (Croatia)

Recipients of our 5th set of Recognition's for Nursing  & Midwifery excellence 2024.

Congratulations to Jose Miguel Santos, Diana Santos, Cristina Firmino, Firas Atef Abu Hussein and Dr Edwardo Santos. Like to know more about these recipients then a small biography is written on our Membership Highlights page on this website

European Recognition of Nursing Excellence in Research, Clinical Practice and Education.
Sigma Europe’s Award & Recognition committee feels that it is important to recognize members’ endeavours throughout the Biennium. Our fouth set of recognitions will give members the chance to honour a fellow member in these unprecedented times. Sigma's European Recognition of Nursing Excellence is based on the dedication to fostering high professional nursing standards, recognizing excellent achievement, emerging leadership, and inspiring creative and dedicated work ongoing. Recognitions will be conferred to nurses for their exceptional contributions in the fields of education, research and nursing practice.

Awards

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Sigma's European Awards for Nursing Excellence 2026 are now closed. 

Reviewing the nominations for 2026 has started, more news after 17th November 2025. 

Sigma's European Awards for Nursing Excellence are based on the society's dedication to fostering high professional nursing standards, recognizing excellent achievement, emerging leadership, and inspiring creative work. Awards are conferred to nurses each biennium for their contributions in the fields of education, research, early career researcher and nursing practice.

 Criteria here for 2026

Awards 2024

Congratulations Recipient Sigma European Research Award 2024

Prof Julie Mc Garry

Recipient Sigma European Early Career Researcher 2024

Dr Lara Cunha

Recipient Sigma European Clinical Practice Award 2024

Dr Maria Lourivo

Recipient Sigma European Education Award 2024

Prof Monica Biancia

Grant applications

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Purpose

The purpose of Sigma's European Research Grant for Nursing Research is to provide a grant for a nurse or group of nurses working in the profession of nursing to allow them to undertake a study in that field. The research should focus on improvement in quality of care for patients, clinical nursing practice, nursing leadership, fields of education and research. There will be two grants available each biennium. 


Congratulations Grant recipients 2024 Dr Emily Lockwood and Dr Siobhan O'Connor

Grant applications are now CLOSED. Reviewing has started, more information after the 17th of November. Criteria found here

Interested in Sigma Global grants, then here are a number of URLs to help you navigate your way to sending in an application. 

   - Download a PDF of Sigma grant and award opportunities
   - Follow these step-by-step tutorial videos on the grant application
   process
   - Frequently asked questions
   - Final grant report guidelines

Available funds from the Sigma Europe development Fund (EDF) to attend our 8th regional conference at Kuopio, Finland in June of 2026. The Sigma European regional committee have decided on the advise of the treasurer & Regional coordinator to increase the fund recipients from 6 to 12 recipients and the amount from 600 to 700 euros per recipient. Why is it important for the fund to realize this: open till 31st of December 2025 an extension. 


1. Promoting Professional Development

Conferences offer nurses opportunities to:

  • Learn about the latest research, clinical practices, and innovations.

  • Enhance their knowledge and skills.

  • Stay current with evidence-based practices and healthcare trends.

Grants help remove financial barriers, making this education accessible to more members, especially those from underfunded or rural settings.


2. Fostering Networking and Collaboration

Attending conferences allows nurses to:

  • Connect with peers, mentors, and leaders in the field.

  • Build professional networks.

  • Exchange ideas and collaborate on research or practice improvements.

Grants enable broader participation, enriching the collective experience with diverse perspectives.


3. Supporting Career Advancement

Conference attendance can:

  • Boost a nurse’s resume or CV.

  • Open doors to new roles or leadership opportunities.

  • Lead to involvement in research, publishing, or presenting.   Criteria & form to fill in here.



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Terms of Reference of the committee.

Awards and Recognitions: This committee positions:

  • Educate and assist chapters with award criteria and submission.
  • Serve as a regional judge for awards.
  • Showcase of Regional Excellence and Chapter Key Award
  • Provide advice and information about additional SIGMA level awards.
  • Serve as a resource and encourage chapters to create awards at the chapter level.
  • European Region Awards: Nursing excellence in research, education, clinical practice& beginning career researcher/educationalist.
  • European Region Recognition endeavours: Nursing excellence in research, education & clinical practice.
  • Review the Scholarships for the European Regional Development Fund & advise the European Regional committee.

The members of the committee are: Filipe Santos, Boris Iliac, Nina Eikman, Mirko Prosen, Joana Mendes, (Chair) MLLuiking. Ruth Lerihan & Cristina Martins.