Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Research Scholarship

Application Process

Application Components

• Eligibility Checklist: Confirmation that the applicant meets all program requirements, including enrollment status, coursework completion, and research focus on sensory integration and processing
• Applicant biosketch: Summary of the applicant’s academic training, research experience, and professional accomplishments (max 5 pages, 12pt font minimum)
• Mentor biosketch: Overview of the mentor’s qualifications, research history, and relevant expertise in the field (max 5 pages, 12pt font minimum)
• Research essay: Description of the proposed research and its connection to sensory integration and processing, and how it contributes to the field of occupational therapy and improving care delivery (6,000 character limit)
• Budget and justification: Itemized breakdown of projected research expenses with rationale for each expenditure (6,000 character limit; may not include salary for applicant or mentor)
• Proof of successful dissertation proposal defense: Documentation confirming the applicant has passed their formal dissertation proposal review, such as a signed committee form or letter from the doctoral committee chair
• Mentor letter of recommendation: Written endorsement from the applicant’s mentor affirming their potential and commitment to the proposed research
• Proof of citizenship or residency status: Official documentation verifying the applicant’s eligibility to work and study in the U.S.
• Hi-resolution photo of applicant: Headshot at 300 dpi or higher in JPG format
• IRB Approval: Certification that the proposed study has been reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board for ethical compliance (optional at time of submission; required prior to funding release if awarded)

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