The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) is offering a unique scholarship program called the STRIDE (Standing for Research Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity). 

This program is special because it focuses on increasing diversity and equity in occupational therapy research by providing funding to a specific group of applicants.

What’s new this year? 

• This year (2024), AOTF renamed the STRIDE OT Research Fund (SRF) as the STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship (SMRS). 
• AOTF has collected a database of mentors interested in assisting you on your research journey, aiming to best match awardees and mentors together based on areas of interest and expertise.  

Who is eligible? 

This scholarship is open to practicing occupational therapy clinicians, and graduates committed to broadening participation in research. However, the eligibility criteria go beyond academic qualifications. Here's what sets SMRS apart: 

• Background: The program targets applicants from under-represented backgrounds, with disabilities, and/or from under-resourced backgrounds. Please refer to the NIH link regarding information on underrepresented groups. This ensures opportunities are given to those who might otherwise face barriers to entering research. 
• Experience: You can be a post-professional Master's (OT) graduate, an entry-level or post-professional OTD graduate, or a practicing OT Clinician. This opens the door to both recent graduates and experienced clinicians who may be practicing full or part-time. 

What will you gain? 

If you're selected for the SMRS program, you'll be paired with a research mentor at an institution outside your own. This mentorship provides valuable guidance and support as you: 

• Gain hands-on experience in a research project aligned with your interests. 
• Develop critical research skills, like formulating research questions and analyzing data. 
• Build your network within the occupational therapy research community. 

Showcasing Your Work 

The program culminates with you presenting a poster on your research experience at the AOTA INSPIRE Conference. This is a fantastic opportunity to: 

• Share your findings with a wider audience. 
• Gain recognition for your work. 
• Network with other occupational therapy professionals. 

Is the STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship right for you? 

If you are an occupational therapist who is passionate about research and comes from an under-represented background, with a disability, and/or from an under-resourced background, then this scholarship program could be a game-changer. It provides financial support, mentorship, and a platform to showcase your research.  

Building a More Diverse Research Landscape 

The STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship has been fostering diverse and qualified occupational therapists in research for two years now, with five recipients in 2023 and three in 2022. This program's commitment to increasing equity is ongoing. 

Don't miss out! The application deadline is July 19, 2024.  

Apply now or share the news with your network so that others can apply, too! 

If you would like to serve as a STRIDE mentor for the following years, please use this Qualtrics Survey link 

FAQ link  

Ann Cook, Ed.D., OTD, OTR/L, CPAM, has been a practicing occupational therapist since 2012. She earned her master's degree from Gannon University in 2012, her post-professional OTD from Chatham University in 2014, and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Duquesne University in 2021.

Ann has practiced primarily in acute care settings but has also practiced in inpatient rehabilitation, schools, outpatient pediatrics, and early intervention. Ann transitioned to working full-time in academia in 2015 but has maintained clinical practice on a PRN basis.

Ann served as a Doctoral Capstone Coordinator for an entry-level OTD program for six years and is currently the Program Director for Slippery Rock University’s entry-level OTD program in Pennsylvania. Ann’s research is primarily that of the scholarship of teaching and learning, and her research trajectory focus is on student self-efficacy.

As the secretary, Ann hopes to increase communication with current and alumni PTE members and promote the organization's amazing work!

The OT Summit 2024 in Florida, held June 6-8, 2024, served as a collaborative hub for occupational therapy research. This successful annual event is a collaboration among leading academic departments from the University of Florida (host), the University of Washington, Washington University at St. Louis, and Ohio State University.

AOTF, a sponsor of the event, was well-represented at the Summit. Our CEO, Scott Campbell, PhD (pictured), underscored the significance of introducing students to research careers and facilitating their connections with mentors and role models.

Our Chief Scientific Officer, Satvika Garg, PhD, OTR/L, highlighted that for nearly 60 years, the AOTF has been a leading force in funding occupational therapy research to improve practice and health outcomes.

Melanie M. Tkach, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L, and Rachel Proffitt, OTD, OTR/L, AOTF Board Member, spoke on behalf of OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. They’ll be collaborating with the rest of our OTJR editorial team to publish the Summit abstracts in an upcoming issue.

Stay tuned for further details regarding the OT Summit 2025 (date and location to be determined).

Learn More About the OT Summit at UF

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news as AOTF approaches its 60th anniversary next year. We're dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy in the field of occupational therapy, and this year is packed with incredible initiatives to achieve that goal.

1. New Funding Opportunities: Calling all occupational therapy researchers! We're proud to announce new funding programs named after occupational therapy icons, first after M. Carolyn Baum. This prestigious $10,000 grant supports mentored research endeavors. Applications open in early October.

2. The next scholarship we are announcing is the Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Scholarship. With this scholarship, you can pursue your research dreams related to sensory processing and occupational therapy theory.

3. Special Issue of the Occupational Therapy Journal of Research (OTJR): Mark your calendars for a special edition of the OTJR focusing on the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model. This issue delves into the connection between occupation and health, the impact of environments, and the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions. Stay tuned for insights to improve participation in meaningful activities!

4. AOTF Engage Summit 2024: Join us in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, on October 10-11th for a groundbreaking event connecting researchers and community partners. Showcase your impactful work, network with colleagues, and learn from experts. Register by September 18th and take advantage of available community partner travel stipends!

5. Empowering Your Research Journey: AOTF is committed to supporting your research success. We've significantly expanded our resources to include:

• Enhanced Research Resources: New toolkits, databases, and informative videos guide you through the research process.

• Planning Grant Collectives: Collaborate with colleagues to develop strong research proposals.

• Expanded External Funding Opportunities: Discover additional funding sources to support your research endeavors.

Together, let's create a future where occupational therapy research thrives and impacts the lives of countless individuals.

Sincerely,

Scott Campbell, PhD

AOTF CEO