Support for the Scientific Development of Members of the Phi Xi Chapter
The pursuit of excellence in nursing has been a unifying principle for the members of the Phi Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International and a core value guiding the work developed over the past decade. The value of scientific knowledge and research has been recognized as the engine for improving the quality of healthcare in collaboration with communities.
Aware of its responsibility to create opportunities for supporting the academic and professional development of its members, thereby enhancing the knowledge of the profession and influencing its development, the Phi Xi Chapter presents to its members a fund created to support their professional journeys. This fund will financially support members in training or scientific dissemination activities deemed relevant for their academic paths, based on the following principles:
1. Supported Activities
The Phi Xi Chapter will support members' participation in scientific events and/or training processes that contribute to skill development in areas such as care delivery, management, teaching, training, or nursing consultancy.
2. Applications
Interested members can apply using the application form available on the Members' Support page of the Coimbra School of Nursing website (menu Cooperate > Sigma Theta Tau International). Applicants must provide the following information in the specified format:
- Candidate identification
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
- Motivation letter (ML)*
These documents will be evaluated based on the following weighting: Curriculum Vitae (70%) and Motivation Letter (30%). Applications should be sent to sigma@esenfc.pt, with the email subject formatted as [Scientific Development Support - Candidate's Name]. Applications submitted after the stipulated deadlines will not be considered for support and will not be carried over to future evaluations; interested parties must resubmit during the scheduled period.
3. Frequency of Support
Four scholarships will be available each calendar year (two in May and two in November). Interested members must submit their intentions by April 30 (1st scholarship) and October 30 (2nd scholarship) of each year.
4. Application Review and Ranking
Applications that meet the requirements outlined in point 2 will be eligible and assessed based on established criteria, which can be consulted on the Members' Support page of the Coimbra School of Nursing website (here). Candidates can receive only one scholarship every three years. However, they may submit applications at any time, as they could be eligible in the absence of other candidates.
5. Composition of the Jury and Announcement of Results
Applications will be reviewed by a different jury each time, appointed by the governing bodies of the Chapter, consisting of three Chapter members. The jury's composition will be published on the Members' Support page of the Coimbra School of Nursing website (menu Cooperate > Sigma Theta Tau International). Jury members cannot apply for scholarships if appointed to the jury. The jury's decisions are final and made by majority vote. In case of a tie, the jury president has the casting vote. Results will be announced no later than one month after the application deadline for each round: April 30 (1st scholarship) and October 30 (2nd scholarship) of each year.
Jury for the 2024 Calendar Year:
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Vítor Parola, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Nursing School of Coimbra
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Márcia Santos, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Nursing School of Coimbra
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Rafael Alves Bernardes, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa
6. Value of Each Scholarship
Each scholarship has a maximum value of 250 euros for each accepted proposal. The amount will be paid by the Chapter after the following mandatory criterion is met: Submission of proof of payment up to the maximum stipulated amount of the scholarship, sent to sigma@esenfc.pt.
7. Criteria for Ranking and Selection of the Curriculum Vitae for Each Scholarship
One (1) point will be awarded for each participation, up to a maximum of 5 points for each item, in the following areas:
- Participation in working groups or continuous improvement projects in clinical practice (1 point per group)
- Participation as a trainee in professional and/or academic training activities (only completed training in the last 10 years with a minimum of 4 hours will be considered) (1 point per training)
- Participation as a trainer in professional and/or academic training activities, with a minimum of 4 hours (1 point per participation)
- Participation in scientific events as a speaker and/or moderator and/or member of the organizing and/or scientific committee in the last 10 years (1 point per participation)
- Oral communications and/or posters as author and/or co-author in scientific events in the last 10 years (1 point per communication)
- Publication of articles in scientific journals or book chapters as author and/or co-author in the last 10 years (1 point per article)
- Participation as a member and/or coordinator of research studies/projects in the last 10 years (1 point per project)
- Mentoring nursing students and/or clinical supervision; with reference to the total number of mentoring hours and the respective institution (1 point per academic year)
- Teaching experience in educational institutions with reference to the total number of teaching hours and the respective institution (1 point per academic year)
- Experience in management and/or consultancy activities in nursing (1 point per activity).
*Note: Formal proof (certificates) of each activity presented must be attached.
8. Criteria for Ranking and Selection of the Motivation Letter for Each Scholarship
The motivation letter must explicitly include: i) the designation of the event to be attended or attended; ii) a critical reflection on the gains anticipated or achieved through participation, with a maximum of 500 words.
For the evaluation of the Motivation Letter, the jury will consider the following aspects: i) Clarity in the presentation of ideas; ii) Relevance of the justification for the application; iii) Anticipated or achieved gains for professional development.