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, 2025. 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 18, 2025. Accepted proposals may be funded as early as June for undergraduates to begin their research.
The Yarbrough Committee is happy to announce that the funding cycle has been reactivated for Academic Year 2025-2026, and is currently soliciting proposals from active NCAS members. The instructions for applicants are posted here.
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 2024-2025 year. Recipients have indicated their acceptance of the grant and are listed below alphabetically by last name.
Marit Reckmann, Catawba College
Investigating the Mechanistic Effect of Heme in Artemisinin-Induced Ferroptosis Using a Cancer Cell Model
Mentor: Dr. Carmony Hartwig
Priyanka Amalean, NC State University
Antibiotic compound extract on eukaryotic organisms
Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Mathews
Karen Gonzalez, Catawba College
Examining the potential Antimicrobial Activity of Azelaic Acid on the Eskape Pathogen Panel
Mentor: Dr. Carmony Hartwig
Anna Miller, NC State University
Genomic Sequencing and Characterization of an Antibiotic-Producing Soil Bacterium
Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Mathews
Rachel Van Winkle, Campbell University
Enzymatic cross-coupling reactions of carbonyl compounds with alkyl halides: crossing into new territory with thiamine-dependent enzymes
Mentor: Dr. Evan Reynolds
Elijah Yang, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Using Different Plant Growth Regulators and Their Combinations to Improve Rooting in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Stem Cuttings
Mentor: Dr. Michael Stiff
Diamond Edmonds, Fayetteville State University
Investigating the Effects of Environmental and Chemical Changes on Capsule Production and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Lactobacillus acidophilus
Mentor: Dr. Danielle Graham
Vanessa Ruiz-Marin, Catawba College
Don't Sugarcoat It: Xylitol's Inhibitory Effects Against Streptococcus Mutans
Advisor: Dr. Francisco Camacho