Congratulations to our 2026 Grant Recipients!

AOTF supports the advancement of occupational therapy through funding opportunities in collaboration with partners for students, clinicians, early career researchers*, and experienced investigators. 

New for 2026! Community Engaged Research Grant Recipients

Kelle DeBoth Foust, PhD, OTR/L 
Cleveland State University 
Mentor: Adam Voight, PhD 
Technology Engagement as Meaningful Occupation: Addressing Digital Inequity Through Community Partnership 

Miranda Donnelly, PhD, OTR/L 
Towson University 
Mentor: Mónica Pérez Jolles, PhD, MA  (University of Colorado) 
Identifying Unmet Rehabilitation Needs of Young Stroke Survivors: A Community-Engaged Pilot Study  

Paul Y. Yoo, PhD, OT 
Colorado State University 
Mentor: Anita Bundy, ScD, OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA 
Co-creation of Child Inclusive Resources through Community Learning and Engagement (Co-CIRCLE)  

The Community Engaged Research Grant program is made possible through a generous grant from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). 

New for 2026! Hand in Hand Research Grant Recipient

Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT
The George Washington University
Mentor: Roger Ideishi, JD, OT/L, FAOTA
Más Fuerte (Stronger): Exploring the Role of Spanish-Language Video Education in Distal Radius Fracture Recovery.

The Hand in Hand Research Grant program is made possible through a partnership with the American Society for Hand Therapists (ASHT) and the American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF).

Implementation Research Grant Recipients

Jennifer A. Weaver, PhD, OTR/L 
Colorado State University  
Mentor: Arlene A. Schmid, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA 
Contextualized Training as an Implementation Strategy for Shared Decision Making in Disorders of Consciousness Rehabilitation  
 
Adam R. Kinney, PhD, OTR/L 
Denver Research Institute 
Mentor: Nazanin H. Bahraini, PhD (Rocky Mountain MIRECC) 
Implementing Occupation-Based Metacognitive Strategy Training for Veterans with TBI in the VHA Polytrauma/TBI System of Care  
 
Danielle Amero, OTD, OTR/L, CHT 
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
Mentor: Kathleen Lyons, OT, ScD, OTR/L 
Evaluating the Implementation of the Coordinated Occupational Therapy Intake Process (COTIP) in Community Behavioral Health  

The Implementation Research Grant program is made possible through a generous grant from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). 

Intervention Research Grant Recipients

Melanie Tkach, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L 
University of Missouri-Columbia 
Mentor: Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA 
Preparing for Adult Roles: Feasibility of a Transition Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy and their Caregivers  

 Jessica Kersey, PhD, OTR/L 
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis  
Mentor: Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L (University of Illinois) 
Feasibility of ENGAGE-TBI: A Novel Intervention to Improve Participation After Brain Injury  
 
Wen-Pin Chang, PhD, OTR/L 
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 
Mentor: Shu-Ping Chen, PhD, OT Reg (University of Alberta) 
Empowering Autistic College Students: Mental Health Skill Building at a Hispanic-Serving Institution  
 

The Intervention Research Grant program receives donations from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the AOTF St. Catherine Challenge.  

*An early career researcher is a Principal Investigator (PI) in the early stages of their independent research career, typically within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree (e.g., PhD, DSc) or equivalent training (such as post degree research fellowship for non-research degrees e.g. OTD/EdD). A longer time frame may be appropriate for individuals who have spent significant time in non-research roles following their degree. These roles may include clinical practice, teaching-only academic positions, industry work (e.g., regulatory affairs or clinical operations), public health or policy practice, administrative or leadership positions, military or government service, entrepreneurial activities, or caregiving responsibilities. Eligible PIs are generally at the Lecturer, Instructor, Assistant Professor, or early Associate Professor level (or equivalent). Their funding history may include small research grants, mentored career development awards, or training-related mechanisms aligned with early-stage or emerging investigators.

Check out the preliminary timeline for the upcoming funding cycle!