Applications Open:
Application Deadline:
Overview
The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT), and the American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) have collaborated to launch the Hand in Hand Research Grant. This one-year award aims to fund an early-stage research project that promotes strong community partner engagement in hand and upper extremity therapy.
Grant Amount: $50,000
Duration: 1 year
Application Deadline: Check current funding cycle for dates
Program Mission
The Hand in Hand Research Grant catalyzes partnerships among researchers, clinicians, and community stakeholders to foster collaboration at every stage of the research process. By prioritizing work grounded in the lived experiences of diverse communities, the grant aims to produce findings that are not only evidence-informed but also actionable in everyday practice settings.
Through this collaboration, AOTF, ASHT, and AHTF reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing the science of hand and occupational therapy by strengthening the evidence base, empowering clinicians, and improving patient outcomes
What We Fund
Priority areas for research include, but are not limited to:
- Health Disparities
- Comparative Effectiveness
- Clinical Practice and Outcome Validation
- Orthosis Use and Biophysical Agents
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Demonstrate strong, formalized collaborations among occupational therapy researchers, hand and upper extremity rehabilitation experts, and community partners
- Address community-identified needs and priorities
- Empower community partners to participate fully in the research process
- Include a plan for sharing results and outlining next steps for scaling and sustaining the work
Funding Partnerships
- American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) Mission: to advance evidence-based practice and improve patient outcomes through the promotion, support, and dissemination of clinical and scientific research in hand and upper extremity therapy.
- American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) Mission: To improve patient outcomes by promoting evidence-based practice through funding clinical and scientific research and education.
- American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Mission: To advance the science of occupational therapy to support people’s full participation in meaningful life activities.
Eligibility Requirements
Principal Investigator Qualifications
- Must hold a terminal research degree (PhD, ScD) or a clinical doctorate (OTD, DPT, or EdD) with advanced research training and/or experience (e.g., completion of a post-degree research fellowship or multiple first-author publications)
- Must be a credentialed occupational therapist or physical therapist
- Must hold current certification as a hand therapist (CHT)
- Must have a full-time faculty appointment or equivalent research position at the time of application
- Must be employed by a U.S. domestic, public or private, non-profit organization or institution eligible to receive Foundation research grants
- Must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or non-citizen admitted for or who has applied for permanent residence
- Preference given to early career researchers and those from underrepresented backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities, and those from underresourced communities
Project Requirements
- Address a community-identified need in hand and upper extremity therapy
- Demonstrate strong, formalized collaboration among occupational therapy researchers, hand and upper extremity rehabilitation experts, and community partners
- Include measurable outcomes and a plan for sharing results
- Outline next steps for scaling and sustaining the work
- Empower community partners to participate fully in the research process
- Please review the full Request for Application (RFA) for additional criteria, considerations, and restrictions.
Application Process
APPLICATION COMPONENTS
The Principal Investigator must review all eligibility criteria and submit a full application via the online portal by November 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Deadline extensions will not be granted.
For full submission requirements, refer to the Application Instructions and RFA linked below under “Resources for Applicants”.
Review Criteria:
Applications will be reviewed by a five-member Scientific Review Group, including experts nominated by ASHT (1), AHTF (1), and AOTF (3).
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Scientific Merit: Quality and rigor of research design and methodology
- Investigator Qualifications: PI’s expertise and suitability of the research team, mentors, and community partners
- Innovation: Novel approaches that challenge current research or clinical practice paradigms
- Practice Impact: Potential to advance evidence-based hand therapy and improve patient outcomes Feasibility: Realistic timeline and achievable goals within the funding period
- Community Impact: Strength and sustainability of community partnerships and potential to benefit the communities served
- Environment — Research setting and collaborative arrangements that support project success
Building research capacity:
The Hand in Hand Research Grant is designed not only to fund a single study but to lay the groundwork for broader impact. Reviewers give weight to proposals that demonstrate potential for larger-scale implementation studies, future federal funding applications (NIH, PCORI, AHRQ), and collaborative research networks that can drive lasting change in community-engaged hand therapy practice.
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 |
|
November 3, 2025 |
Full application due at 11:59 p.m. ET. |
|
February 2026 |
Summary statements and award notifications are sent to applicants. |
Resources for Applicants
Application Materials
Note: These materials are from the previous 2025 – 2026 cycle.
Grant Policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Effective as of June 2025
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.
Inaugural Recipient
Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT
The George Washington University
Más Fuerte (Stronger): Exploring the Role of Spanish-Language Video Education in Distal Radius Fracture Recovery
Mentor: Roger Ideishi, JD, OT/L, FAOTA