The Challenge began in September 2013 when honor society students from St. Catherine University recognized the importance of using effective evidence-based treatment methods and sought to increase awareness of occupational therapy research that guides practice. These students were seeking to increase awareness of occupational therapy research that guides practice. They challenged OT students at universities across the United States to take on the St. Catherines Challenge by creating their own fundraisers, engaging their communities, and joining together in a friendly competition in support of AOTF's mission.
The St. Catherines Challenge funds AOTF’s Intervention Research Grants (IRGs), which provide early-stage research funding to OT investigators that enable them to collect pilot data and build proof of concept for new and novel ideas. This one-year research grant of $100,000 is essential first-round funding necessary to collect and analyze data, publish findings, apply for larger grants, and conduct future studies. IRGs are the first step to improving the delivery of quality care. The goal of the 2026 Challenge is to raise enough to fully fund one IRG with funds raised by students.
Steps For Success
Get started with these easy steps:
- Pledge to Participate: Submit your 2- minute application for the 2026 Challenge at the top of this page
- Attend the live Zoom #AOTFSCC Kick-Off Rally on Sept. 30, 2025. Register using the form at the top of this page! (presentation slides available and recording will be available on demand)
- Set up your school’s fundraising goal: $1,000 minimum suggested
- Create your Donation Page: Set-up your fundraising page on our official Challenge campaign site via Just Giving, personalize it, access real-time totals and rankings, plus share directly to social media and email. Follow the instructions on this PDF to get started!
FUNdraising Ideas
Check out some of these FUNdraising ideas that some of our previous St. Catherines Challenge participants have used to hit their donation goals!
Quick Start
- Add your JustGiving link to your Instagram bio and create posts or stories asking your followers to donate
- Share your JustGiving link with your friends and family
- Post a Fundraising Bingo Board on your Instagram Story
- Host a penny war
- Design and print a fundraising flyer to share around your school
- Sample Flyer - Customize it with your school's branding and make sure to add your JustGiving QR code!
Leveling Up
- Create a short video sharing why OT research/evidence-based practice is important to you and post it to your social media.
- Pie a professor!
- Host a competitive trivia night
- Showcase a previous AOTF IRG recipient
- Make some tasty treats and sell them at a bake sale!
All-In
- Run for OT research by hosting a 5k
- Design and sell your own OT apparel!
- Host a relaxing yoga class to raise money for OT Research
- Have a restaurant fundraiser – Donate 20% of sales at your favorite fast-casual restaurant to the AOTF St. Catherines Challenge
- Thrift for a cause – sell second-hand clothes in a thrift store themed fundraiser.
Abide by state and federal fundraising regulations. The Foundation should be listed as a beneficiary of the event. For example, organizers may NOT refer to the event as the “American Occupational Therapy Foundation/AOTF Bake Sale”; instead, it could be promoted as a “Bake Sale to benefit the American Occupational Therapy Foundation/AOTF Intervention Research Grant.”
Check out what some other schools are doing to meet their #AOTFSCC 2026 goals!
Social Media Toolkit
Get the word out about the St. Catherines Challenge to your network by sharing it on social media! Make sure to use #AOTFSCC in all of your posts.
Please tag us on socials so we can amplify all the great fundraising you’re doing! @otresearchfoundation on Instagram / AmericanOccupationalTherapyFoundation on Facebook / @AOTFoundation Twitter
If you're a Pi Theta Epsilon member, make sure to tag them in your posts as well! @pithetaepsilon on Instagram / Pi Theta Epsilon - Occupational Therapy Honor Society on Facebook
Sample message: OT research transforms lives, drives innovation, and advances the occupational therapy profession. That’s why I’m raising money for the St. Catherine’s Challenge – a student-led fundraiser that supports early-stage research in occupational therapy. Donate today!
Challenge Awards (with new additions this year!)
1st Place - President’s Award
- New this year! 2 Complimentary Student Registrations for the 2026 AOTA INSPIRE Conference (value: $900)*
- New this year! 5 NBCOT OTR Practice Exams (value: $150)**
- 4 Tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and a picture with the BWS speaker
- 3 Tickets to the AOTF State of the Science Symposium
- 2 Tickets to the AOTF VIP Reception
- Commemorative school plaque
2nd Place - Award of Excellence
- New this year! 2 Complimentary Student Registrations for the 2026 AOTA INSPIRE Conference (value: $900)*
- New this year! 5 NBCOT OTR Practice Exams (value: $150)**
- 4 Tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and a picture with the BWS speaker
- 4 Tickets to AOTF's State of the Science Symposium
- Commemorative school plaque
3rd Place - Award of Merit
- New this year! 2 Complimentary Student Registrations for the 2026 AOTA INSPIRE Conference (value: $900)*
- New this year! 5 NBCOT OTR Practice Exams (value: $150)**
- 2 Tickets to AOTF’s Breakfast with a Scholar and picture with the BWS speaker
- 3 Tickets to the State of Science Symposium
- Commemorative school plaque
MVP- Recognizes a returning school that went above and beyond in this year’s Challenge. The top factors will be funds raised, number of donors, and social media posts using #AOTFSCC to increase awareness of the Challenge.
- Commemorative school plaque and photo with the BWS speaker
Rush to the Top- Recognizes the most successful first-time participating school
- Commemorative school plaque and photo with the BWS speaker
In addition to the overall Challenge winners, AOTF recognizes every school that achieves 100% Faculty Participation.
For more information, contact: StCatherineChallenge@aotf.org
Thank You Award Partners
 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), whose mission is to advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research through standard setting and advocacy on behalf of its members, the profession, and the public. Learn more.
 National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®), whose mission is to protect the public through the validation of essential competencies for effective and safe occupational therapy practice. Learn more.
Past Challenge Award Winners
2025
1st Place - Texas Woman’s University
2nd Place - University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place - Marquette University
MVPs - Boston University & Misericordia University
2024
1st Place- University of Southern California
2nd Place- Marquette University (1st-time participating!)
3rd Place- St. Catherine University
MVP- Temple University
Rush to the Top- Marquette University
2023
1st Place- St. Catherine University
2nd Place- University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place- University of Southern California
MVP- Missouri State University
Rush to the Top- Yeshiva University and University of Wisconsin-Madison
2022
1st Place- St. Catherine University
2nd Place- University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place- University of Southern California
MVP- Brenau University
Rush to the Top- Alvernia University
2021
1st Place- University of Pittsburgh
2nd Place- Washington University in St. Louis
3rd Place- NYU Steinhardt
MVP- MGH Health Institution of Health Professions
Rush to the Top- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2020
1st Place- San Jose State University
2nd Place- University of Pittsburgh
3rd Place- Columbia University
MVP- University of Southern California
Rush to the Top- University of Illinois- Chicago
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