Sharon Davies Memorial Awards Program

Alabama Nurse, Jun-Aug 2003

SHARON DAVIES

September 29,1950 - November 30, 2002

Sharon Davies was a psychiatric nurse, a researcher and a staunch advocate for those who suffer from mental illnesses. She loved her profession, and she loved people. She also realized that stigmatization and ignorance about mental illnesses can enslave individuals and their families who suffer with these diseases. She was determined to help change this.

In 1985, she became actively involved with Freedom From Fear, a non-profit mental illness advocacy organization, during its early development. She was a primary source of advice and encouragement. Sharon volunteered each month for many years to counsel individuals who sought help for their mental health problems. She also visited schools and civic groups giving lectures and assisted in the development of community outreach programs.

In her professional career as a nurse, Sharon had a diverse and interesting background. She volunteered for a year as a nurse on a Hopi Indian Reservation and held a variety of other nursing positions. However, her primary work was as a researcher and Special Projects Coordinator of the Anxiety Disorders Unit at the New York State Psychiatric Institute where she was employed for 27 years.

Sharon's kind and caring way was a source of strength to all who came to know her. She always made herself available to help others, whether they were a patient, coworker or a resident struggling to write their first research grant. She generously gave of her time and asked nothing in return but the satisfaction of seeing her colleagues and friends achieve their goals.

Sharon was greatly loved and will be greatly remembered by her friends and colleagues. Her memory, goals and aspirations will live on through the Sharon Davies Memorial Awards Program created by her family, friends and colleagues at Freedom From Fear.

Why has this program been created? The family, friends and colleagues of Sharon created this program to provide grants to individuals to assist them in the area of mental health research.

What is the amount of funding available for a research grant? In 2003 a maximum of $20,000 will be awarded. Grant requests cannot exceed $10,000.

What is the deadline for submitting a grant application? Grants must be received by September 1, 2003. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant? Applicants must be a Registered Nurse or a Nurse Practitioner employed in the mental health field in either a research or clinical capacity.

Can more than one grant application be submitted? Candidates can submit only one grant application per grant ^ cycle.

Is previous research experienced required? No previous research experience is necessary to apply for a grant.

Does the research have to be done in a research or academie institution? No. It doesn't have to take place at a , research or academic institution, but applicants are required to submit the name of individuals that have experience in research. These individuals must provide a letter that they are mentoring the applicant.

What types of projects are eligible for funding? The program will fund grants that facilitate innovative research in the field of mental health.

To request a grant application or for further information, please contact Jeanine Christiana at 718 351-1717, ext 21 or e-mail: jcgamian@aol.com. Grant applications can also be downloaded via our Web site at freedomfromfear.org