Research Grants
The APTA Academy of Education Research Committee promotes scholarly activities and access to research resources that facilitate evidence-based educational strategies. Activities include review of Research Grant applications as well as assisting with review of platform and poster proposals for CSM and ELC.
Grant Applications Open Aug 3 - Sept 30, 2026
Research grants are available to support APTA Academy of Education members in conducting research that investigates a question of importance to the advancement of education in physical therapy. In addition, research related to physical therapy education across the learner continuum (e.g., DPT, PTA, entry-level, post-professional) and proposals related to the education of patients/clients will also be considered.
The Academy offers grants in two categories:
- Small Research Grants: The small grants are intended to support the work of early career researchers and emerging researchers new to education research who are pursuing small or pilot projects that require financial resources of up to $5,000. These grants are not intended for established researchers in need of small amounts of financial support; those proposals should be directed to the Large Research Grant. Grant applicants should demonstrate how the proposed project is 1) investigating a question of importance to the advancement of education in physical therapy, 2) situated within a larger research agenda or plan, and 3) can be completed within the 18-month grant period.
- Large Research Grant: The large grants are intended to support the work of more experienced researchers and research teams who are pursuing larger projects that require financial resources of up to $25,000. Proposals for the large grant must demonstrate that the project can be completed within the 18-month grant period and that the research team has the requisite experience and expertise to achieve success by completing all deliverables outlined in the proposal.
The call for proposals for research grants opens yearly in August and closes on September 30, 2026. Note that the grant deadline will move to September 1 starting in 2027.
Please review all Research Grant Guidelines before submitting application form.
Catherine Stevermer | Des Moines
Plagiarism, Writing and Citing: An online, interactive tutorial for health professions students
2015-16
Christine McCallum | Walsh
Trends, Issues and Challenges and the Director of Clinical Education: preparing for a new direction in physical therapist education
2016-17
Betsy Becker | University of Nebraska
Early Career Faculty LINK: Leveraging Individual Network Knowledge
2017-18
Alice Salzman | Northwestern University
Exploration of physical therapist students' affective behaviors influencing clinical reasoning
2018-19
Nicole Christensen | Samuel Merritt University
Exploration of the role of movement in physical therapists' clinical reasoning
2018-19
Julie Peterson | Creighton University
Outcomes of resident education: exploring learner development during and post residency
2019-2020
Chalee Engelhard | University of Cincinnati
Assessing the director of clinical education roles/responsibilities task fit impact: A Delphi study
2019-2020
Matt Briggs & Raine Osborne
Ohio State; Brooks Rehab
Defining excellence in residency education: The next step in demonstrating value
2020-2021 Richard Shield | University of Iowa
University of Iowa Benchmarking Outcomes in Physical Therapist Education: The PT-GQâ„¢ Survey
2020-2021
Lorna Hayward | Northeastern University
Point of Care Ultrasound in Physical Therapy Practice, Uncovering Novice to Expert Professional Pathways to Inform an Evidence-Based Pedagogical Approach
2021-2022
Jamie Greco | Duke University
Relationships in Doctor of Physical Therapy Clinical Education: Voices of the Key Stakeholders
2022 Megan Eikenberry | Midwestern University (Glendale, AZ Campus)
The AMPED Program: Alumni Mentorship for Professional and Educational Development - A Program to Support the First-Generation College Student
2023-2024
Amanda Sharp | University of Minnesota
A Comprehensive Analysis of Availability, Compliance, and Inclusivity of Technical Standards in U.S. Physical Therapist Programs
2023-2024
Wing Fu | Columbia University
Development of the Master Adaptive Learner Behavioral Assessment Scale (MAL BAS) for use in Physical Therapist Education
Liana Wooten | Tufts University
Incidence of Burnout Among Doctor of Physical Therapy Faculty
Mitch Wolden | University of Jamestown
Why the Variability? Investigating the Optimal Length of Clinical Educational Experiences
Heather Knight | Creighton University
Implementation of Clinical Reasoning Blueprint for Physical Therapy Educators Through Professional Development Series Grounded in a Knowledge Translation Framework
Denise Romano | Binghamton University
Development of a Competency-Based Assessment data Dashboard for Physical Therapist Education
Mary Derrick-Manis | University of Utah
Analysis of Learning Environment and Outcomes in Multiple Instructional Models of DPT Education
Sarah Fishel | Ithaca College
Exploration of Physical Therapists’ Integration of Social Determinants of Health into Clinical Practice
James Moore| University of Miami
Development of an Academic Physical Therapy Educator Competency Framework: A National Model for Excellence
Madeline Ratoza| University of St. Augustine
Mapping Outpatient Clinical Education Site Availability in Massachusetts Using Geospatial Analysis
The mission of the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research is to fund and publicize physical
therapy research that determines the scientific basis and value of services intended to optimize physical functioning by physical therapists, and to develop the next generation of researchers.
- American Educational Research Association
- Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Evidence-Based Practice Resources - Foundation Center - Foundation Finder
- Health Resources & Services Administration
- International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning
- US Department of Education
LEADERSHIP
Chair: Michael Buck, PT, MSPT, ATC, PhD
Board Liaison: Kimeran Evans, PT, DPT, PhD
Committee Member: Kim Dao, PT, DPT
Committee Member: Jamie Greco PT, DPT, EdD
Committee Member: Rachel S. Tappan, PT, DPT
Committee Member: Melissa Tovin