Business Details
47 Years
experience
Advancing Physical Therapy Through Research
The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research has been dedicated to advancing the physical therapy profession through research and researcher development since its incorporation in 1979. As the only national nonprofit solely focused on physical therapy research, we have awarded over $23.4 million in grants, scholarships, and fellowships, fostering innovation and evidence-based practices. Our rigorous NIH-modeled review process ensures funding is directed to the most qualified applicants, with a particular emphasis on early-career researchers who go on to secure significant follow-on funding.Through strategic partnerships and donor support, we have built a sustainable pipeline for research excellence, directly impacting patient care quality and healthcare outcomes. Our work has enabled groundbreaking studies in movement science, rehabilitation techniques, and health services research, while maintaining transparent operations and strict adherence to ethical standards. By cultivating future researchers and promoting clinically relevant studies, we continue to strengthen the profession's ability to address evolving healthcare challenges.
Services
Research Grants
Doctoral Scholarships
Fellowships
CoHSTAR Program
Legacy Giving
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- We are the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to physical therapy research
- Our NIH-modeled review process ensures rigorous evaluation of all funding applications
- We've awarded over $23.4 million in research funding since 1979
- Our grantees have secured $896 million in follow-on research funding
- We maintain transparent operations with a 45-year track record of research excellence
Services
Research Grants
Our competitive research grants support innovative studies that advance physical therapy practices and improve patient outcomes. These awards help researchers investigate new treatment methodologies, validate existing techniques, and address critical gaps in healthcare delivery. Recipients gain crucial funding to conduct studies that often lead to significant follow-on support from major research institutions.
Doctoral Scholarships
We provide doctoral scholarships to promising physical therapy researchers pursuing advanced degrees. These awards support the development of future research leaders by covering educational expenses and enabling focused study in specialized areas of movement science and rehabilitation. Our scholarship recipients often become influential figures in academic physical therapy.
Fellowships
Our fellowship programs offer early-career researchers comprehensive training and mentorship opportunities. Fellows receive financial support to develop their research skills, publish findings, and establish themselves as independent investigators. This program has produced numerous leaders in physical therapy research who continue to shape the profession's evidence base.
CoHSTAR Program
The Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR) develops researchers focused on healthcare delivery systems and patient outcomes. This multi-institutional program trains physical therapists to conduct high-impact studies that influence healthcare policy and improve access to quality physical therapy services across diverse populations.
Legacy Giving
Our legacy giving program enables donors to create lasting impact through estate planning and charitable bequests. These contributions ensure sustained funding for physical therapy research while providing tax advantages to donors. Legacy gifts help maintain our ability to support groundbreaking studies for future generations of patients and practitioners.
Questions
How do I apply for research funding?
Applications open at specific times each year for different funding types. Check our website for current opportunities and submission deadlines.
What types of research do you fund?
We fund studies that advance physical therapy practices, including clinical research, health services research, and investigator development projects.
Can international researchers apply?
Our funding primarily supports research conducted in the United States, though some collaborative international projects may qualify.
How are funding decisions made?
Applications undergo rigorous peer review by expert panels using NIH-style evaluation criteria to ensure scientific merit and relevance.
What is your donation impact?
Every dollar invested in our grants generates approximately $38 in follow-on funding, amplifying your contribution's research impact.
Do you accept in-kind donations?
We primarily accept monetary contributions, though certain planned gifts and stock transfers can also support our mission.
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