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!