Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

08/19/2026

The Foundation Board of Trustees is at APTA HQ this week to discuss all things mission-related.

We're thankful for the trustees who volunteer their time and expertise to ensure the Foundation remains a strong resource for physical therapy research and the next generation of researchers.



Pictured from left to right. Top Row: Jerry Smith, PT; Nancy Byl, PT, PhD, MPH, FAPTA; Peter McMenamin, PT, DPT, MS; Christopher Powers, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Terry Brown, PT, DPT; Don Jackson, PT, MS.
Bottom Row: Stuart Binder-Macleod, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Marc Guillet, PT, MS; Linda Van Dillen, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Barbara H Connolly, PT, DPT, EdD, FAPTA; Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA; Eva Norman, PT, DPT, CEEAA, David Rouen III, Rebecca L Craik, PT, PhD, FAPTA.

08/13/2026

TIGRR 2027 applications close tomorrow, August 14! Learn more and apply.

University of Colorado Anschutz
Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy
American Occupational Therapy Foundation

🚨 Applications Opening Soon: TIGRR 2027 🚨
Are you an early-career rehabilitation research scientist looking to strengthen your grant writing skills and boost your funding success?

The Training in Grantsmanship for Rehabilitation Research (TIGRR) workshop is back! This 4-day program connects participants with nationally recognized mentors for one-on-one guidance in developing competitive funding proposals.

The Foundation is proud to support this impactful initiative, helping to advance the next generation of rehabilitation scientists.

📅 Applications open: July 1, 2026
📅 Deadline: August 14, 2026
📅 Workshop: January 4–8, 2027

Whether you are refining your first proposal or aiming to take your grantsmanship to the next level, TIGRR offers the expertise and support to help you succeed.

🔗 Learn more and apply:
https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/physical-therapy-program/research/tigrr

American Occupational Therapy Foundation
Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy
Shepherd Center
University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Dana McCarty and Catherine Ustby on their recent publication, Immersive Physical and Occupational Therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Non-Randomized Comparative Cohort Trial Protocol!

This project was made possible through funding from the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research , supporting continued research, innovation, and advancement of the physical therapy profession. This study explores an immersive rehabilitation model in the NICU, aiming to better understand how early, intensive physical and occupational therapy may improve outcomes for infants and their families.

We're especially proud to celebrate Catherine Ustby, a graduate of UNC DPT's Pediatric Residency and Neonatal Physical Therapy Fellowship. Congratulations to the authors on this important contribution to neonatal rehabilitation research!

08/11/2026

The Foundation spoke with Dana McCarty, PT, DPT, PhD, the 2024 Paris Patla Physical Therapy Research Grant recipient, to learn more about her work and research in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she is exploring an immersive therapy model in which PTs are continuously present to support infants and parents.

Watch this video to learn more about Dana's journey to becoming a PT and how that led her into PT research, and check out the latest issue of the APTA magazine for more about her work in the NICU.

UNC Division of Physical Therapy
UNC School of Medicine

08/07/2026

✍️ Have you updated your will? August is Make-a-Will Month.

Creating or updating your will is an important part of planning for the future. It's also an opportunity to support the future of physical therapy research.

By including the Foundation in your estate plans, you can help ensure continued investment in research and researchers in training for years to come. No matter the size, a planned gift can provide lasting support for the profession and the people it serves.

Learn more: legacyfpt.org

08/06/2026

The Foundation was proud to participate in the inaugural Summit to Advance Education Research in Physical Therapy, where Foundation Trustee Stuart Binder-Macleod, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and Manager, Scientific Programs, Beryl Leach, MPH, served as panelists. We appreciate the opportunity to support conversations that help advance physical therapy education research.

07/31/2026

Today’s the day!

Applications for our $40,000 grants are due TODAY at 4:59 p.m. ET.

🔔 Submit now: https://foundation4pt.org/foundation-funding-opportunities/grants/

07/30/2026

🔎Looking Ahead: What’s Next for The Foundation

We remain focused on advancing physical therapy research and developing highly qualified researchers for the profession.

In the years ahead, we will:
⭐Increase emphasis on integrating cost-effectiveness analysis into research infrastructure
⭐Develop new endowments to provide stable, long-term funding for researchers
⭐Continue demonstrating the value and impact of physical therapy in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape

Thank you for being part of what’s next.

Explore these priorities and more in our 2025 Annual Report: https://foundation4pt.org/about-us/foundation-financials/

As we reflect on 2025, we are incredibly grateful to have had you alongside us every step of the way. Your generosity and engagement continue to advance the work of the scholars and researchers we support—and last year is proof of what’s possible.

We invite you to explore the highlights and stories made possible by our growing physical therapy research community in our 2025 Annual Report.

👉 Read the full report:https://foundation4pt.org/wp-content/uploads/2025-Annual-Report_Foundation-for-Physical-Therapy-Research-2.pdf

07/29/2026

🎉 Celebrating Our Recent 2026 Award Recipients

Last month, we announced the recipients of the 2026 Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships and our 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship Award recipient. Together, these awards represent the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research's commitment to developing a cadre of highly qualified PT researchers.

By the numbers:
🌟$300,000+ awarded through the 2026 Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships
🌟27 doctoral students and candidates supported
🌟1 Postdoctoral Fellowship Award recipient recognized for outstanding early-career research

👏 Congratulations to all 2026 award recipients. We look forward to following their contributions to physical therapy research in the years ahead.

👉 Learn more about this year's awardees on our website: https://foundation4pt.org/news-and-updates/news/

07/27/2026

This Disability Pride Month, we're reflecting on the Foundation's history of supporting research that works to improve physical therapy services and treatments for people of all ages with disabilities.

That commitment continues today through funding opportunities such as the McEwen Family Fund for School-based Physical Therapy Research Grant, which supports research focused on school-based physical therapy services for students with disabilities and is available this year.

For more than 40 years, Foundation-funded researchers have worked to advance evidence that helps people move beyond a diagnosis and enjoy one of life's greatest freedoms: mobility.