The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) is committed to strengthening our profession through research and practice. A cornerstone of this mission is providing financial aid to students at all degree levels in occupational therapy (OT). These future researchers, practitioners, and leaders need our support today.

AOTF is pleased to introduce two new scholarships that will soon be accepting applications. These two scholarships recognize two outstanding figures in OT and elevate our need for future OTs to emulate their personal and professional character.

The Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Scholarship will support an emerging OT scientist conducting research in sensory integration and sensory processing pursuant to their dissertation plan. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in evaluating and treating people with sensory issues. The increasing number of individuals with sensory processing challenges underscores the urgent need for robust OT evidence.

This scholarship will be $5,000, and AOTF has been gifted $25,000 to support five years of this award. AOTF is working to build an endowment of $125,000 for this fund so this scholarship may be offered forever

The Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Lands Banks, who served as the Manager of Administration and Facilities for AOTA for over 25 years. This scholarship recognizes Lands Banks's incredible impact on AOTA and the OT profession by supporting the next generation of occupational therapists.

Through the generosity of Lands' friends and colleagues, this scholarship has been created to support a student pursuing an OTA, MOT/MSOT, or OTD with an annual award of $2,000. Eligible candidates must demonstrate their role in community service and/or a service leadership role, as Lands' commitment to community service is one of his most recognizable qualities. Preference for this scholarship will be given to students from historically underrepresented minorities in occupational therapy. 

AOTF is working to build an endowment of $50,000 for this scholarship, which will provide a $2,000 scholarship forever.

If you wish to learn more about these scholarships or support our work to endow either of these funds with a philanthropic gift, please get in touch with Lawrence Liff at lliff@aotf.org

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  

Dr. Cook has been a practicing clinician for over 13 years, having earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Gannon University. It was at Gannon University that she was inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon National Honor Society. Her clinical practice has primarily focused on acute care and inpatient rehabilitation, and she has a particular passion for working with patients who have sustained burns.

Since 2015, Ann has been teaching full-time after completing her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Chatham University. She served as the inaugural doctoral capstone coordinator at Duquesne University for six years and earned an Ed.D in Educational Leadership during her time there. Ann served as the Program Director of Slippery Rock University’s OTD Program for three years, and she is now teaching full-time at The Ohio State University.

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