Grants and Awards
Photo of a magnolia blooming in Chapel Hill, by Jess McCann
The NC Academy of Science offers 3 grants/awards: Bryden Grant (for graduate students), Yarbrough Grant (for undergraduates) and the Derieux Award (for undergraduates).
Writing a research grant not only helps you to obtain expensive resources you need to complete a research project, but also forces you to organize your thoughts and fine tune your plans. This often results in a project that is more successful. Moreover, being awarded a grant is a great honor and tangibly demonstrates your critical thinking and communication skills. This makes a valuable entry for anyone's resume!
Grant awardees are expected to present their results at the Annual Meeting, which is a great opportunity to network with other scientists! Also, undergraduates have the opportunity to compete for the Derieux Award, given for best oral and poster presentations. See below for more information about our grants and awards.
Bryden Grant
The Robert R. Bryden Research Awards grants up to $1000 to support graduate research, equipment and/or expenses related to attendance of scientific meetings. The application deadline is February 26, 2024. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, see the instructions for applicants.
The Bryden Grant Committee is pleased to announce the accepted Proposals for the 2024-2025 year.
Alyssa Scott, UNC-Wilmington
Investigating the ecology of crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga) in a changing climate
Advisor: Dr. Michael Tift
Delicia Esther Cardenas Vasquez, UNC-Greensboro (
Study the effect of eight weeks of exposure to carbon nanodots on lipid peroxidation in liver tissue of C57BL/6J mice
Advisor: Dr. Zhenquan Jia
Yarbrough Research Grant
The Yarbrough Research Grants program provides funding to undergraduates who are members of the Collegiate Academy to engage in research activities. Approximately four grants are awarded annually and typically range from $100 to $500. Top awards may receive as much as $500 or more. The application deadline is April 15, 2024. Accepted proposals may be funded as early as June for undergraduates to begin their research.
(please note the deadline has been extended from April 12 to April 15, 2024)
The Yarbrough Committee is happy to announce that the funding cycle has been reactivated for Academic Year 2024-2025, and is currently soliciting proposals from active NCAS members. Please note the deadlines in the instructions for applicants.
Members of the review committee can be found here, and the past recipients of the Yarbrough Grant may be found here.
The Yarbrough Undergraduate Research Grant Committee is pleased to announce the accepted Yarbrough Grant Proposals for the 2023-2024 year. Recipients have indicated their acceptance of the grant and are listed below alphabetically by last name.
Allison Fredrick, Catawba College
Effects of UV Radiation on Epithelial Cells
Mentor: Professor Erin Witalison
Yahaira Galan Cruzes, Catawba College
The Efficiency of Plasma-Treated Water as a Fertilizer Compared to Store-Bought Fertilizer
Mentor: Professor Andrew Jacobson
Summer Lutz, Fayetteville State University
Determining the Presence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Soil Bacteria Isolates
Mentor: Professor Danielle Graham
Deborah North, Durham Technical Community College
Wastewater Treatment Using Microbial Fuel Cell Technology
Mentor: Professor Darryl Bing
Bethany Perry, Lenoir Rhyne University
Effect of Temperature on Circadian Rhythms and Stomatal Aperture In Soybeans
Mentor: Professor Michael Stiff
Anastajia Price, Catawba College
Vulpes vulpes Response to Exotic and Native but Extirpated Large Carnivore Scents
Mentor: Professor Andrew Jacobson
Salma Ramirez Sanchez, Lenoir Rhyne University
Antifungal Effects of Oregano Oil Against Candida albicans
Mentor: Professor Daniel Grimm
Isaac Riggs, Lenoir Rhyne University
Effects of Seed Germination on Chelone lyonia Seeds Using Smoke-Water Exposure
Mentor: Professor Marsha Fanning
Lynn van Staalduinen, Lenoir Rhyne University
Determining the Time to Confluency of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts Cultured in Varying Oxygen Concentrations
Mentor: Professor Daniel Grimm
Derieux Awards
The Annual Meeting provides a forum for students to present their research. Presentations are judged and Derieux Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Research are presented at an Awards Ceremony. Winners of first place awards are invited to submit a full manuscript of their research to the Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science, the official journal of the NCAS. All judges use rubrics for judging posters and talks.