For Researchers

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.

2025 Grant Applications are Open!

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 to research related to physical therapy education (DPT, PTA, Residency), questions related to the education of patients/clients or licensed PTs/PTAs will also be considered.

The Academy offers grants in two categories:

  • Small Seed Grants:  These small grants (new in 2024) are intended to support the work of new and aspiring scholars who are pursuing small or pilot projects that require financial resources of up to $10,000.  These grants are not intended for established researchers in need of small amounts of financial support, these proposals should be directed to the 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, and, 2) situate the proposal within a larger research objective or plan.
  • Larger grants: These grants continue to provide proposers with potential financial resources of up to $25,000 for larger projects with an experienced research team.  Proposals for the larger grants continue to require that the proposal demonstrate that the project can be completed within one calendar year and that the research team has the requisite experience and expertise to achieve success by completing all deliverables outlined in the proposal. Proposal budgets are meticulously scrutinized.

The call for proposals for research grants opens yearly in August and closes in October. 

Grant Application Portal

Research Grant Guidelines Research Grant Extension Form

2015-16 
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

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