The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) is proud to announce the opening of applications for its prestigious fellowships and scholarships. These opportunities are designed to support and encourage exceptional researchers and doctoral students in advancing the field of occupational therapy.

Fellowships for Post-Doctoral Researchers

• Nedra Gillette Endowed Research Fellowship: This fellowship supports a postdoctoral researcher's foundational occupational therapy study into the human condition.

• Nancy Talbot Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Designed to enhance diversity within the occupational therapy workforce by supporting postdoctoral training for underrepresented groups.

Scholarships for OT Doctoral Students

• NEW! Dr. A. Jean Ayres Occupational Therapy Doctoral Candidate Research Scholarship: A new scholarship honoring the pioneer of sensory integration, supporting doctoral research in this area.

• Dr. Gary Kielhofner Doctoral Research Scholarship in Occupational Therapy: Provides support for doctoral students pursuing research in occupational therapy.

• Bonita Kraft Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Scholarship: Dedicated to supporting doctoral research in mental health and serious mental illness.

Application Period: All fellowships and scholarships will be open for applications from August 1, 2024 to September 15, 2024.

These awards offer invaluable support to researchers and doctoral students as they contribute to the body of knowledge in occupational therapy. We encourage eligible candidates to apply.

For more information, visit the Grants section.

For more information, click here.

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  

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!