Implementation Research Grant

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Applications Open: 08/14/2025

Application Deadline: 11/21/2025

Overview

The Implementation Research Grant program supports research focused on helping occupational therapy practitioners take evidence-informed practice from theory to reality in their practice settings. This program addresses the critical 17-year average gap between when medical evidence is established and when practitioners consistently adopt new approaches in their clinical work.

Grant Amount: Up to $50,000
Duration: 1 year
Application Deadline: Check current funding cycle dates

Program Mission

Implementation Research Grants support studies that examine strategies to advance the adoption and integration of evidence-based health interventions into clinical and community settings, improving both individual patient outcomes and overall public health.

What We Fund

Implementation Research Grants support studies that investigate:

Adoption Strategies: How evidence-based interventions can be successfully implemented in real-world practice settings
Integration Methods: Approaches for incorporating research findings into existing clinical workflows and systems
Barrier Identification: Research that identifies and addresses obstacles to implementing evidence-based practices
Sustainability Models: Long-term strategies for maintaining evidence-based practices in clinical settings
Translation Processes: Methods for effectively communicating research findings to practitioners and healthcare teams
Outcome Measurement: Tools and methods for measuring the effectiveness of implementation strategies

Funding Partnership

Implementation Research Grants are made possible through a generous grant from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing evidence-based occupational therapy practice that improves patient outcomes.

Eligibility Requirements

Principal Investigator Qualifications

Must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, ScD, EdD, or DrPH)
Must be an occupational therapy practitioner or working in occupational therapy research
Preference given to early-career researchers and those from underrepresented backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in occupational therapy, those with disabilities, and those from underresourced communities.
Must have institutional affiliation with research support capabilities

Project Requirements

Focus on implementation science methodology
Address clear gaps in evidence-based practice adoption
Include measurable outcomes and implementation strategies
Demonstrate potential for broader impact on occupational therapy practice
Show collaboration with clinical practice settings

Application Process

Application Components

Project Proposal: Detailed research plan with implementation science framework
Budget and Justification: Comprehensive budget with line-item explanations
Timeline: Project milestones and deliverables schedule
Principal Investigator CV: Complete academic and research background
Institutional Support: Letters confirming research infrastructure and support
Literature Review: Comprehensive background and significance statement

Review Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

Scientific Merit: Quality and rigor of research methodology
Implementation Focus: Clear application of implementation science principles
Practice Impact: Potential to improve evidence-based practice adoption
Feasibility: Realistic timeline and achievable goals within the funding period
Innovation: Novel approaches to implementation challenges
Investigator Qualifications: PI’s expertise and institutional support

Building Research Capacity

The program supports the development of implementation science expertise within occupational therapy, building capacity for:

Larger-scale implementation studies
Federal funding applications (NIH, PCORI, AHRQ)
Collaborative research networks
Policy and practice change initiatives

Application Timeline

Stage	Timeline
Review Research Priorities & Guidelines	Summer 2025
Application Materials Posted	August 14, 2025
Letter of Intent Submission Opens	August 14, 2025
Letter of Intent Deadline	September 19, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET
Invitations to Submit Full Application	October 6-10, 2025
Full Application Deadline	November 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET
Summary Statements & Award Notifications Sent	March 2026

Check current funding cycle dates and application materials here

Grant Recipients

Jennifer A. Weaver, PhD, OTR/L

Colorado State University
Contextualized Training as an Implementation Strategy for Shared Decision Making in Disorders of Consciousness Rehabilitation
Mentor: Arlene A. Schmid, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Adam R. Kinney, PhD, OTR/L

Denver Research Institute
Implementing Occupation-Based Metacognitive Strategy Training for Veterans with TBI in the VHA Polytrauma/TBI System of Care
Mentor: Nazanin H. Bahraini, PhD (Rocky Mountain MIRECC)

Danielle Amero, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Evaluating the Implementation of the Coordinated Occupational Therapy Intake Process (COTIP) in Community Behavioral Health

Mentor: Kathleen Lyons, OT, ScD, OTR/L

Jessica Edelstein, PhD, OTR/L

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago dba Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Complementary Implementation and De-Implementation Strategies to Close the Evidence-Practice Gap in Stroke Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
Mentor: Miriam Rafferty, DPT, PhD, PT

Janell Pisegna, PHD, OTR/L, CSRS

Colorado State University
Multifaceted Implementation Program for Occupational Therapy Practitioners Addressing Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Home and Community Care
Mentor: Lisa Juckett, PhD, OTR/L, CHT

Brocha Stern, PHD, OTR

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Characterizing and Refining Implementation of a Personalized Patient-Reported Outcome Measure in Outpatient Care
Mentor: Natalie E. Leland, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, FGSABCG, FAOTA, FGSA
Mentor: Miriam Rafferty, DPT, PhD, PT

Areum Han, PhD, OTR/L

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Implementing an Occupational Therapist-Led Acceptance and Commitment Training Group for Parents in Pediatric Outpatient Clinics
Mentor: Hee Yun Lee, PhD

Laura Swink, PhD, OTR/L

Colorado State University
Social Prescription for Loneliness in Community-based Group Exercise Classes for People with Parkinson’s Disease
Mentor: Cory Christiansen, PhD, PT

Lauren Wengerd, PhD, OTR/L

The Ohio State University
Identifying Evidence-Based Practice Gaps in Stroke Rehabilitation to Maximize Research Impact: A Video Observational Study
Mentor: Timothy J. Wolf, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Chiao-Ju Fang, PhD, MA, OTR/L

San Jose State University
Implementation of App-based Coaching Intervention (Social Participation and Navigation; SPAN) to Promote Participation of Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Mentor: Laurie Drabble, PhD

Angela Shierk, PhD, OTR

Texas Woman’s University
Implementation of Therapy Together, a Pediatric Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Program, with Early Childhood Intervention
Mentor: Janet Prvu Bettger, ScD

Aviva Wolff, EdD, OTR, CHT

Hospital for Special Surgery NYC
Implementation Science to Prevent and Reduce Musculoskeletal Occupational Injuries in Musicians
Mentor: Laura Robbins, PT, DPT

Anna Boone, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L, CBIS

University of Missouri
Analysis, Refinement, and Implementation: Emphasizing Practical Implementation of Functional Cognitive Assessments
Mentor: Dorothy Farrar-Edwards, PhD

Janet Njelesani, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

New York University
Implementing an Occupational Therapy Intervention to Support Young Caregivers
Mentor: Aimee James, PhD, MPH, MA

Jennifer Weaver, PhD, MA, OTR/L, BS, CBIS

Colorado State University
Identifying Implementation Strategies to Facilitate Adoption of a Recovery Ruler in Clinical Practice
Mentor: Trudy Mallinson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FACRM

Lisa Juckett, PhD, OTR/L, CHT

Ohio State University
Strategies to Promote the Implementation of Outcome Measures in Stroke Rehabilitation
Mentor: Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Roberta Pineda, PhD, OTR/L, CNT

University of Southern California
Implementation of the Baby Bridge Program via Telehealth to Enhance Access to Early Intervention Services in Los Angeles
Mentor: Carol Peden, MB, ChB, MD, FRCA, FFICM, MPH

Sally Wasmuth, PhD, OTR

Trustees of Indiana University
Implementation of Narrative Theatre for Occupational Justice Promotion
Mentor: Dawn Bravata, MD

Mary Khetani, Sc.D., OTR/L

University of Illinois at Chicago
Implementation of Electronic Shared Decision-Making Support for Families to Design and Monitor Participation-Focused Early Intervention
Mentor: Natalie Leland

Chiung-ju Liu, PhD, OTR/L, FGSA

University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions
Implementing 3-Step Workout for Life to Improve ADL Outcomes in Home Health
Mentor: Michael Marsiske

Kelly Tanner, PhD, OTR/L, BCP

Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Implementing Parent Coaching in Occupational Therapy for Young Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Multi-Site Project
Mentor: Nathalie Maitre

Resources for Applicants

Implementation Science Training

Planning Grant Collectives: Collaborative workshop opportunities
WISH Workshop: Workshop in Implementation Science and Health Grant Writing
Research Resources: Implementation science toolkits and guides

Grant Writing Support

Dissemination toolkits are available in our Research Resources library
Mentorship connections through AOTF networks
Previous recipient success stories and lessons learned

Grant Policy on AI

For Applicants: While AOTF does not prohibit the use of AI tools to assist in the writing of proposals (e.g., spell-check and language suggestions), applicants remain fully responsible for ensuring their proposals are factually accurate, clearly written, and appropriately cited. Any AI-generated text must be clearly acknowledged in the application using footnotes.
For Reviewers: Reviewers are prohibited from uploading AOTF applications into any AI systems due to concerns with confidential and proprietary information. To ensure integrity and confidentiality is upheld, grant reviewers will be required to submit a confidentiality agreement form prior to starting the review process.