Intervention Research Grant - The American Occupational Therapy Foundation

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Applications Open: 08/14/2025

Application Deadline: 11/21/2025

Overview

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) awards Intervention Research Grants (IRG) as part of its mission to advance the science of occupational therapy to support people’s full participation in meaningful life activities. The purpose of this grant program is to lay the necessary groundwork for larger intervention studies and support the profession’s Vision 2025 of occupational therapy as an evidence-based profession.

The IRG program aims to provide seed funding for the development of new and innovative ideas, generating preliminary data that serves as proof of concept. Many larger funders, including federal agencies and major nonprofit foundations, require this initial data in order to consider funding applications. However, funding sources for this early-stage work are often limited. The AOTF IRG plays a vital role by investing in the development of ideas and data during the initial phases of the occupational therapy research process.

Program Impact and Success

Since launching in 2013, AOTF has funded over 30 Intervention Research Grants with more than $1.5 million in research support. The program’s impact extends far beyond initial funding:

93% of IRG recipients have gone on to receive federal funding for their work
Over $19 million in follow-up funding has been awarded to IRG recipients
32 publications in both occupational therapy and non-occupational therapy journals have resulted from IRG findings
Grant recipients have delivered 90+ presentations based on their research

Grant Details

IRG now offers up to $100,000 per grant for 1 year.

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

Eligibility Requirements

General Personal Criteria:

The PI has a terminal research degree (PhD, ScD) or has an OTD or EdD with advanced research training (e.g., completion of a post-degree research fellowship).
The PI is a credentialed occupational therapist with a full-time faculty position appointment or an equivalent research position at the time of application, OR a non-OT investigator with a primary academic appointment in an occupational therapy department.
The PI is employed by a U.S. domestic, public or private, non-profit organization/institution that is eligible to receive Foundation research grants and will ensure its accountability and support for the project.
The PI is a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national of the U.S. admitted for permanent residence, OR applied for permanent residence. (For non-citizens/visa holders, the applicant organization must have policies in place to determine whether residence status or visa status will allow completion of the research.)

The PI should have a funding history with early-stage, emerging, or early midcareer investigators, which may include small research grants and training-related or mentored career awards.*

AOTF will give preferential consideration to applications that utilize common data elements and include them in their grant applications where appropriate. NIH encourages the use of common data elements (CDEs) in clinical research, patient registries, and other human subject research in order to improve data quality and opportunities for comparison and combination of data from multiple studies and with electronic health records.

*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 a degree research fellowship for non-research degrees, e.g., OTD/EdD). A longer time frame may be more suitable for individuals who have spent a significant amount of 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.

Research Priorities

For all of our research grant programs, we are actively soliciting grant applications that examine racial, social, and health inequities and injustices and promote social justice. Grant applicants are now asked to address how they will involve participants from underrepresented populations. Plans for the inclusion of women and minorities must be included in the application or proposal and scientifically justified. Applications and proposals should describe the composition of the proposed study population in terms of sex/gender and racial/ethnic groups, and provide a rationale for the selection of such subjects. Any exclusions based on sex/gender or race/ethnicity must include an explanation and justification grounded in scientific or ethical rationale. Investigators should also plan appropriate outreach programs and activities to recruit and retain the proposed study population, consistent with the research project’s purposes.

Application Process

The Intervention Research Grant represents a unique opportunity to advance occupational therapy science and your research career. With proven success in helping investigators secure larger federal funding, the IRG program serves as a critical stepping stone for early-career researchers ready to make their mark in occupational therapy research.

Submit your Letter of Intent beginning August 2026.

Questions: Contact the AOTF at research@aotf.org. Please note that it may take a few days for a reply.

Application Timeline

Date	Application Stage
Summer 2025	RFA and award guidelines are posted on the AOTF website. Review the research priorities, objectives, approaches, and eligibility criteria found in the RFA. Review award guidelines. Develop the initial framework for a Letter of Intent and applications.
August 14, 2025	Online Submission for Letter of Intent opens
September 19, 2025	Letter of Intent deadline 11:59 p.m. ET.
October 6-10, 2025	Invitations to submit an Application are extended to principal investigators who meet eligibility criteria and whose LOI is accepted by AOTF. Invitees can begin the application.
November 21, 2025	The application deadline for grants is 11:59 p.m. ET.
March 2026	Summary statements and award notifications are sent to applicants.

General Grant Policies and References

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 are upheld, grant reviewers will be required to submit a confidentiality agreement form before starting the review process.

Recent Recipients

Wen-Pin Chang, PhD, OTR/L

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Empowering Autistic College Students: Mental Health Skill Building at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Mentor: Shu-Ping Chen, PhD., OT Reg (University of Alberta)

Jessica Kersey, PhD, OTR/L

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Feasibility of ENGAGE-TBI: a Novel Intervention to improve participation After Brain Injury
Mentor: Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L (University of Illinois)

Melanie Tkach, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L

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

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

Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Community Driven Methods for Screening for Developmental Delay Among Infants and Toddlers with Sickle Cell Disease
Mentor: Allison King, MD, PhD, MPH

Vanessa Jewell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Feasibility of the REAL-Fam to Support Diabetes Self-Management, Family Participation, and Child Health
Mentor: Beth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, CDCES, LRC, FAOTA

Jaewon Kang, PhD, MSOT

Colorado State University
Using Virtual Reality Technology to Increase Acceptance of Home Modifications for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study
Mentor: Brett Fling, PhD

Emily Grattan, PhD, OTR/L

University of Pittsburgh
Examining Metacognitive Strategy Training for Individuals with Unilateral Spatial Neglect
Mentor: Elizabeth Skidmore, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FACRM

Kelle DeBoth, PhD, OTR/L

Cleveland State University Ohio
Building Resilience and Social-emotional Skills in Under-resourced Preschoolers with History of Trauma
Mentor: Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Andrea Fairman, PhD, MOT, OTR/L, CPRP, ATP

Johnson & Wales University
Clinical Efficacy of CO-OP And Mhealth to Support Self-catheterization In Youth with Spina Bifida
Mentor: Douglass Clayton, MD

Mark Hardison, PhD, OTR/L

University of New Mexico
Assessing the Feasibility of the Restorative Occupational Approaches for Disordered Eating (ROADE) Program
Mentor: Catana Brown, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Emily Kringle, PhD, OTR/L

University of Minnesota
duoABLE: Feasibility of a Behavioral Activation-based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior Among People with Stroke and Their Support Persons
Mentor: Beth Lewis, PhD

Megan Chang, PhD, OTR/L, MS

San Jose State University
Use of a Telehealth Approach to Build Resilience in Parents of Children with Autism through Mindfulness Practice
Mentor: Laurie Drabble, PhD

Erika Kemp, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

The Ohio State University
Determining Efficacy and Active Ingredients of the AquOTic program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Mentor: Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Kendra Heatwole Shank, PhD, OTR/L, CAPS

Towson University
MCI Intervention for Out-of-Home Participation: Aging, Cognition, & Meaningful Engagement (ACME)
Mentor: Malcolm Cutchin, PhD

Alix Sleight, PhD, OTD, MPH, OTR/L

Cedars-Sinai
The RISE (Re-Invent, Integrate, Strengthen, Expand) Occupation-Based Self-Management Program for Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Study
Mentor: Pamela Roberts PhD, OTR/L, SCFES, FAOTA, CPHQ, FNAP, FACRM

Victoria Wilburn, DHSc, OTR, FAOTA

Indiana University Indianapolis
Utilizing Ecological Momentary Assessment with Adolescents Attending a Recovery High School
Mentor: Brandon Sorge, PhD

Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, OTD, OTR/L

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

Jewel Elias Crasta, PhD, OTR/L

Ohio State University
Characterizing Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Mentor: Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Areum Han, OTR/L, PhD

University of Alabama at Birmingham
A Guided Eight-Week Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention for Distressed Family Caregivers of People with Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study
Mentor: Hon Yuen, PhD, OTR/L

Grace Kim, PhD, OTR/L

Grace Kim, PhD, OTR/L
Promoting Adherence in Upper Extremity Home-Based Rehabilitation Through Motivational Interviewing and Ecological Momentary Assessment: A Feasibility Study
Mentor: Yael Goverover, PhD, OTR/L

Marion Russell, OTD, OTR/L

Creighton University
Impact of COVID-19 on Family Quality of Life and Healthcare Access for Families with a Child with Diabetes
Mentor: Vanessa Jewel, PhD, OTR/L

Namrata Grampurohit, PhD, OTR/L

Thomas Jefferson University
Post-Discharge Support for Caregivers of Adults with Stroke Through Telehealth Coaching-in-Context
Mentor: Mary Jane Mulcahey

Danbi Lee, PhD, OTD, OTR/L

University of Washington
Return to Life After Stroke: Motivational Interviewing and Self-Management Support in Early Stroke Rehabilitation
Mentor: Chuck Bombardier

Janet Njelesani, PhD, OTR/L

New York University
An Occupation-Based Intervention to Address Bullying Against Students with Disabilities
Mentor: Kristie Koenig

Emily Somerville, OTD, OTR/L

Washington University- St. Louis
A Tailored Medication Management Intervention for Older Adults
Mentor: Susan Stark

Alex Wong, PhD, DPhil, BSOT

Washington University- St. Louis
Feasibility of Mobile Self-Management Intervention for Mild Stroke
Mentor: Carolyn Baum

2019 Intervention Research Grant Recipients

Kelly Anderson, PhD, OTR/L East Carolina University
The Role of Success and Failure in the “Just Right Challenge” (Mentor: Anne Elizabeth Dickerson, PhD, OTR/L, SCEDCM, FAOTA, FGSA)

Karen Atler, PhD, OTR/L Colorado State University
Merging Yoga, Occupational Therapy and Education in Diabetes Management (Mentor: Arlene A. Schmid, PhD, OTR/L)

Kris Barnekow, PhD, OTR/L, IMH-E University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Healthy Transitions from NICU to Home: A Pilot Study of the SMILE Curriculum (Mentor: Deborah Brandon, PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN)

Annemarie Connor, PhD, OTR/L Florida Gulf Coast University
A Peer-mediated Vocational Social Skills Program for College Students with Autism (Mentor: Connie Sung, PhD, CRC, LPC)

Candice Osborne, PhD University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Facilitated Learning in Stroke Rehabilitation: Using Problem Solving and Technology to Address Health and Risk Factors (Mentor: Kathleen Bell, MD)

2018 Intervention Research Grant Recipients

Angela Caldwell, PhD, OTR/L, CLT University of Pittsburgh
Partnering for Prevention: Promoting Healthy Habits in Underserved Communities (Mentor: Roxanna Bendixen, PhD, OTR/L)

Susan Fasoli, ScD, MS, OTR/L MGH Institute of Health Professions
A Paradigm Shift: Rehabilitation Robotics, Cognitive Skills Training and Function (Mentor: Teresa Jacobson Kimberly, PhD, PT )

Anne Kirby, PhD, OTR/L University of Utah
Pilot Study of the MAPSS (Maximizing Adolescent Post-Secondary Success) Intervention (Mentor: Himle Michael, PhD )

Lauren Little, PhD, OTR/L Rush University
Bridging a Service Gap in Autism: A Hybrid Education-Coaching Intervention (Mentor: Winifred Dunn, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA)

Rachel Proffitt, OTD, OTR/L University of Missouri
Feasibility of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment(R)-BIG Intervention in Stroke (Mentor: Timothy Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA)

2017 Intervention Research Grant Recipients

Evan Dean, PhD, OTR/L- University of Kansas
Supporting Employment Through Self-determination for Young Adults with ASD (Mentor: Karrie Shogren, PhD)

Leah Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L- University of Southern California
Environmental Barriers for Adults with ASD During Primary Care Health Encounters (Mentor: Sharon Cermak, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA)

Kathleen Lyons, ScD, OTR/L- Dartmouth College
Supporting Caregivers of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients: A Feasibility Study of the Ready to CARE program (Mentor: Stephen Bartel, MD, MS)

Maureen Russell, PhD, OTR/L, MHI- Northern Arizona University
Sleep Interventions for Caregivers and Their Young Children in Part C Programs (Mentor: Carol Baldwin, PhD, RN, NCC, CT, AHN-BC, FAAN)

Heather Williamson, DrPH, MBA, OTR/L, CPH- Northern Arizona University
Health Equity for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Mentor: Julie Ann Baldwin, PhD)

2016 Intervention Research Grant Recipients

Mary Khetani, ScD, OTR/L University of Illinois at Chicago
Feasibility Test of a Pediatric Web-Based Care Planning Guide (Mentor: Mary Law, PhD, FCAOT)

Mansha Mirza, PhD, OTR/L, MSHOR University of Illinois at Chicago
Piloting an Occupational Therapy Intervention in a Primary Care Clinic (Mentor: Anders Kottorp, PhD)

Juleen Rodakowski, OTD, MS, OTR/L University of Pittsburgh
Empowering Caregivers after Stroke (Mentor: Elizabeth Skidmore, PhD, OTR/L)

2015 Intervention Research Grant Recipients

Winifred Dunn, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA University of Kansas Medical Center
Feasibility of Telehealth Coaching for Rural Families of Children with Autism

Simone Gill, PhD, OTR/L Boston University
Use of Motor Learning Principles to Reduce Fall Risks After Surgical Weight Loss

Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L Boston University
An Environment Problem-Solving Strategy for Parents of Youth with Disabilities

Elizabeth Larson, PhD, OTR, FAOTA University of Wisconsin-Madison
5Minutes4Myself: Motivational Occupational Coaching & Mindfulness for Caregivers

Susan Magasi, PhD University of Illinois at Chicago
Negotiating the Healthcare System: a Peer-OT Lead Intervention

Stacey Reynolds, PhD, OTR/L Virginia Commonwealth University
Effects of Deep Pressure on Arousal and Performance in Person with Autism

Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L FAOTA Thomas Jefferson University
Testing Outcomes of a Manualized OT Intervention for Children with Autism

2014 Intervention Research Grant Recipients

Erin R. Foster, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L Washington University School of Medicine
Feasibility and Optimization of a Cognitive Intervention for Parkinson Disease

Sandy Magaña, PhD, MSW University of Illinois at Chicago
Promoting Participation Among Latino Children with ASD

Beth Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP Temple University
Manualization of an Intervention to Improve Work Environments for Adults with ASD

Arlene Schmid, PhD, OTR Colorado State University
Merging Yoga and group Occupational Therapy (MY-OT)

Mary Ellen Stoykov, PhD, MS, OTR/L Rush University
Bilateral Priming for Upper Extremity Hemiparesis in Older Adults