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.

Nedra Gillette Endowed Research Fellowship
Jaewon Kang, PhD, MSOT​
University of Illinios Urbana-Champaign​

Nancy Talbot Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Lindsay Spell, OTD, OTR/L​
Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Gary Kielhofner Doctoral Research Scholarship
Cristina Parsons, MOT, OTR/L, PhD Candidate​
Colorado State University

Bonita Kraft Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Scholarship
Samantha Randolph, OTR/L, PhD Student​
Washington Univesity in St. Louis

2025 applications will open this summer!

Nedra Gillette Endowed Research Fellowship
Cristin M. Holland, PhD, OTR/L, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Nancy Talbot Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Dominique Como, PhD, EdM, OTR/L, University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Gary Kielhofner Doctoral Research Scholarship
Amy McArthur, PhD Candidate, MS, OTR/L, University of Illinois 

Bonita Kraft Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Scholarship
Clarissa Mireau, PhD Candidate, MA, OTR/L, TPS, Nova Southeastern University 
Occupational Therapy

Stay tuned for the announcement of our remaining grant recipients! 

Congratulations to our inaugural 2022 Bonita Kraft Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Scholarship Awardee, Janell Pisegna, MOT, OTR/L, The Ohio State University, Examination of Poststroke Occupational Therapy Mental Health Care in Inpatient Rehabilitation

The Bonita Kraft Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Scholarship supports an occupational therapist doctoral candidate in pursuing research in the areas of mental health and serious mental illness.

Bonita Kraft is an occupational therapist who spent 45 years working in community mental health. She has long been an advocate for OT and mental health; passionate about promoting the need for occupational therapy to be a part of mental health services and treatment as well as for building evidence for occupational therapists to use in practice. Bonita is a proud alum of San Jose State University (BSOT), has been a dedicated volunteer for AOTF, The California Foundation for Occupational Therapy, the Occupational Therapy Association of California as well as a long-time member of AOTA. She is excited to support the next generation of OT scientists with this scholarship who will add new knowledge to the profession and better serve those with severe mental illness and mental health issues.

Please make a gift to help us support the future of OT, strengthen evidence-based practice and improve the quality of care. Your generosity will secure this scholarship for generations of OTs.