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St. Catherine Challenge

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November 15, 2024

 

  

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AOTF St. Catherine Challenge

 

Official Hashtag: #AOTFSCC
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AOTF St. Catherine Challenge
Participate in the 2025 St. Catherine Challenge!

The St. Catherine Challenge is a national student-led fundraising initiative to support occupational therapy research grants awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Launched in 2013, the Challenge has raised over $500,000 to support the Intervention Research Grants (IRGs), which fill a critical gap in OT research by providing funding for early-stage research studies. This type of funding is essential to enabling OT scientists to collect pilot data, publish findings and apply for larger grants.

Sign-up Now✏️ Kick-Off in Early October 🎉

BONUS: All first-time participating schools that signed up by Sept. 6th were entered into a drawing for AOTF Prize Packs for each of their team members! Congratulations to Presbyterian University. *Drawing held Sept. 11th, up to 8 packs per winning team, prizes subject to change.

Sign Up

 

Join these participating schools:

  • Boston University
  • Brenau University
  • California State University, Dominguez Hills
  • Colorado State University
  • Drake University
  • Elizabethtown University
  • George Washington University
  • Howard University
  • Huntington University
  • Indiana State University
  • Marquette University
  • Mary Baldwin University
  • MGH Institute of Health Professionals
  • Misericordia University
  • Missouri State University
  • New York University
  • Northern Arizona University
  • NOVA Southeastern University
  • Presbyterian University*
  • Russell Sage College
  • Spalding University
  • San Jose State University
  • St. Catherine University
  • Saint Louis University
  • Tennessee State University*
  • Texas Tech University Health Sciences
  • Texas Woman’s University
  • The Ohio State University
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • Towson University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • University of Florida
  • University of Illinois Chicago
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Missouri
  • University of New England
  • University of New Hampshire
  • University of North Dakota
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of South Dakota
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Texas Medical Branch
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Washington University of St. Louis
  • Wingate University

(As of 10/22/2024)

Support OT Research and Your School- Make Your Gift: 

  • Donate online:
    Via your school's fundraising page on Just Giving site or form above
  • Donate by mail:
    Make checks payable to AOTF, include school name on memo line and mail with a Donation Form so your school receives credit to:
    AOTF/St. Catherine Challenge
    12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 520
    Rockville, MD  20852
  • Donate by phone:
    • 240-292-1077
    • Monday to Friday (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

The tax-deductible donations raised by the St. Catherine Challenge are used exclusively to fund and promote research into occupational therapy and thus advance the science of everyday living. Matching funds may be available based on university location and donors. See Disclosures.

Check out #AOTFSCC:

The Challenge began in September 2013 when honor society students from St. Catherine University learned the importance of using effective treatment methods that are supported by research evidence. These students were seeking to increase awareness of occupational therapy research that guides practice. They challenged OT students at universities across the United States to a take on the challenge, create their own fundraisers, engage their communities, and join together in a friendly competition in support of AOTF's mission.

AOTF awards Intervention Research Grants (IRGs) to provide early-stage research funding to OT investigators that enable them to collect pilot data and build proof of concept for new and novel ideas. This one-year research grant of $50,000 is essential first-round funding necessary to collect and analyze data, publish findings, apply for larger grants, and conduct future studies. IRGs are the first step to improving the delivery of quality care. It is the goal of this year’s Challenge to fully fund 1 IRG in 2024 with funds raised by students.

Steps for Success & Sample Toolkit: (2025 is here!)

  • Pledge to Participate: Apply online for 2025 Challenge 
  • Attend #AOTFSCC Kick-Off Rally early October (presentation slides available and recording will be available on demand) 
  • Set a fundraising goal ($1,000 minimum suggested) and set-up your donation page on our official Challenge campaign site via Just Giving, personalize it, access real-time totals and rankings, plus share directly to social media and email.
  • Spread the word to students, faculty, friends and family: 
  • Share your success with AOTF so we can show your committment to evidence-based OT practice
  • Have Fun!!!

Some of the new enhancements starting in the 2024 Challenge include: 

  • New "Fundraising Training Call"
  • New leaderboard
  • October 1st start date
  • December 31st "un-official" end date
  • Team Calls/Meetings With AOTF Board Members and Grant Winners
  • And more!

Challenge Awards 

1st Place - President’s Award

  • 4 Tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and picture with the BWS speaker
  • 2 Tickets to AOTF VIP Reception
  • Plaque for the school

2nd Place - Award of Excellence

  • 4 tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and picture with the BWS speaker
  • 2 tickets to State of the Science Symposium
  • Plaque for the school

3rd Place - Award of Merit

  • 2 tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and picture with the BWS speaker
  • 2 tickets to the SOS Symposium

MVP- Recognizes a school that went above and beyond in this year’s Challenge. A top factor will be the school that uses the #AOTFSCC the most.

  • Plaque for the school and picture with the BWS speaker

Rush to the Top- Recognizes the most successful first-time participating school

  • Plaque for the school and picture with the BWS speaker

In addition to the overall Challenge winners, AOTF recognizes school’s successes during the Challenge:

  • Mid-Challenge Top 5 
  • 100% Faculty Participation 

 

 

We love that we have the opportunity to support OT research through the St. Catherine Challenge this year and are excited to be working alongside other OT programs across the country to reach our national fundraising goal.

- San Jose State University, 2020 St. Catherine Challenge Grand Winner (Left, with Misericordia University and Mary Baldwin University)

  

 

 SCC Participants

 

Contact

StCatherineChallenge@aotf.org
240-292-1077
AOTF/St. Catherine Challenge
12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 520
Rockville, MD 20852

 

Past Challenge Award Winners:

2024
1st Place- University of Southern California
2nd Place- Marquette University (1st-time participating!)
3rd Place- St. Catherine University
MVP- Temple University
Rush to the Top- Marquette University 

2023
1st Place- St. Catherine University
2nd Place- University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place- University of Southern California
MVP- Missouri State University
Rush to the Top- Yeshiva University and University of Wisconsin-Madison

2022
1st Place- St. Catherine University
2nd Place- University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place- University of Southern California
MVP- Brenau University
Rush to the Top- Alvernia University 

2021
1st Place- University of Pittsburgh
2nd Place- Washington University in St. Louis
3rd Place- NYU Steinhardt
MVP- MGH Health Institution of Health Professions
Rush to the Top- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

2020
1st Place- San Jose State University
2nd Place- University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place- Columbia University
MVP- University of Southern California
Rush to the Top- University of Illinois- Chicago