The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) is offering a unique scholarship program called the STRIDE (Standing for Research Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity). 

This program is special because it focuses on increasing diversity and equity in occupational therapy research by providing funding to a specific group of applicants.

What’s new this year? 

• This year (2024), AOTF renamed the STRIDE OT Research Fund (SRF) as the STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship (SMRS). 
• AOTF has collected a database of mentors interested in assisting you on your research journey, aiming to best match awardees and mentors together based on areas of interest and expertise.  

Who is eligible? 

This scholarship is open to practicing occupational therapy clinicians, and graduates committed to broadening participation in research. However, the eligibility criteria go beyond academic qualifications. Here's what sets SMRS apart: 

• Background: The program targets applicants from under-represented backgrounds, with disabilities, and/or from under-resourced backgrounds. Please refer to the NIH link regarding information on underrepresented groups. This ensures opportunities are given to those who might otherwise face barriers to entering research. 
• Experience: You can be a post-professional Master's (OT) graduate, an entry-level or post-professional OTD graduate, or a practicing OT Clinician. This opens the door to both recent graduates and experienced clinicians who may be practicing full or part-time. 

What will you gain? 

If you're selected for the SMRS program, you'll be paired with a research mentor at an institution outside your own. This mentorship provides valuable guidance and support as you: 

• Gain hands-on experience in a research project aligned with your interests. 
• Develop critical research skills, like formulating research questions and analyzing data. 
• Build your network within the occupational therapy research community. 

Showcasing Your Work 

The program culminates with you presenting a poster on your research experience at the AOTA INSPIRE Conference. This is a fantastic opportunity to: 

• Share your findings with a wider audience. 
• Gain recognition for your work. 
• Network with other occupational therapy professionals. 

Is the STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship right for you? 

If you are an occupational therapist who is passionate about research and comes from an under-represented background, with a disability, and/or from an under-resourced background, then this scholarship program could be a game-changer. It provides financial support, mentorship, and a platform to showcase your research.  

Building a More Diverse Research Landscape 

The STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship has been fostering diverse and qualified occupational therapists in research for two years now, with five recipients in 2023 and three in 2022. This program's commitment to increasing equity is ongoing. 

Don't miss out! The application deadline is July 19, 2024.  

Apply now or share the news with your network so that others can apply, too! 

If you would like to serve as a STRIDE mentor for the following years, please use this Qualtrics Survey link 

FAQ link  

Dr. Cook has been a practicing clinician for over 13 years, having earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Gannon University. It was at Gannon University that she was inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon National Honor Society. Her clinical practice has primarily focused on acute care and inpatient rehabilitation, and she has a particular passion for working with patients who have sustained burns.

Since 2015, Ann has been teaching full-time after completing her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Chatham University. She served as the inaugural doctoral capstone coordinator at Duquesne University for six years and earned an Ed.D in Educational Leadership during her time there. Ann served as the Program Director of Slippery Rock University’s OTD Program for three years, and she is now teaching full-time at The Ohio State University.

The OT Summit 2024 in Florida, held June 6-8, 2024, served as a collaborative hub for occupational therapy research. This successful annual event is a collaboration among leading academic departments from the University of Florida (host), the University of Washington, Washington University at St. Louis, and Ohio State University.

AOTF, a sponsor of the event, was well-represented at the Summit. Our CEO, Scott Campbell, PhD (pictured), underscored the significance of introducing students to research careers and facilitating their connections with mentors and role models.

Our Chief Scientific Officer, Satvika Garg, PhD, OTR/L, highlighted that for nearly 60 years, the AOTF has been a leading force in funding occupational therapy research to improve practice and health outcomes.

Melanie M. Tkach, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L, and Rachel Proffitt, OTD, OTR/L, AOTF Board Member, spoke on behalf of OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. They’ll be collaborating with the rest of our OTJR editorial team to publish the Summit abstracts in an upcoming issue.

Stay tuned for further details regarding the OT Summit 2025 (date and location to be determined).

Learn More About the OT Summit at UF

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news as AOTF approaches its 60th anniversary next year. We're dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy in the field of occupational therapy, and this year is packed with incredible initiatives to achieve that goal.

1. New Funding Opportunities: Calling all occupational therapy researchers! We're proud to announce new funding programs named after occupational therapy icons, first after M. Carolyn Baum. This prestigious $10,000 grant supports mentored research endeavors. Applications open in early October.

2. The next scholarship we are announcing is the Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Scholarship. With this scholarship, you can pursue your research dreams related to sensory processing and occupational therapy theory.

3. Special Issue of the Occupational Therapy Journal of Research (OTJR): Mark your calendars for a special edition of the OTJR focusing on the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model. This issue delves into the connection between occupation and health, the impact of environments, and the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions. Stay tuned for insights to improve participation in meaningful activities!

4. AOTF Engage Summit 2024: Join us in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, on October 10-11th for a groundbreaking event connecting researchers and community partners. Showcase your impactful work, network with colleagues, and learn from experts. Register by September 18th and take advantage of available community partner travel stipends!

5. Empowering Your Research Journey: AOTF is committed to supporting your research success. We've significantly expanded our resources to include:

• Enhanced Research Resources: New toolkits, databases, and informative videos guide you through the research process.

• Planning Grant Collectives: Collaborate with colleagues to develop strong research proposals.

• Expanded External Funding Opportunities: Discover additional funding sources to support your research endeavors.

Together, let's create a future where occupational therapy research thrives and impacts the lives of countless individuals.

Sincerely,

Scott Campbell, PhD

AOTF CEO