Intervention Research Grant

Intervention Research Grant is sponsored by The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF). This program provides seed funding for the development of new and innovative ideas in occupational therapy intervention research, generating preliminary data for larger intervention studies. It aims to advance the science of occupational therapy and support its Vision 2025.

Intervention Research Grant - The American Occupational Therapy Foundation Intervention Research Grant Applications Open: 08/14/2026 Application Deadline: 09/19/2026 The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) awards Intervention Research Grants (IRG) as part of its mission to advance the science of occupational therapy to support people’s full participation in meaningful life activities.

The purpose of this grant program is to lay the necessary groundwork for larger intervention studies and support the profession’s Vision 2025 of occupational therapy as an evidence-based profession. The IRG program aims to provide seed funding for the development of new and innovative ideas, generating preliminary data that serves as proof of concept.

Many larger funders, including federal agencies and major nonprofit foundations, require this initial data in order to consider funding applications. However, funding sources for this early-stage work are often limited. The AOTF IRG plays a vital role by investing in the development of ideas and data during the initial phases of the occupational therapy research process.

Program Impact and Success Since launching in 2013, AOTF has funded over 30 Intervention Research Grants with more than $1. 5 million in research support.

The program’s impact extends far beyond initial funding: 93% of IRG recipients have gone on to receive federal funding for their work Over $19 million in follow-up funding has been awarded to IRG recipients 32 publications in both occupational therapy and non-occupational therapy journals have resulted from IRG findings Grant recipients have delivered 90+ presentations based on their research IRG now offers up to $100,000 per grant for 1 year.

The Intervention Research Grant program receives significant funding from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the St. Catherine Challenge. General Personal Criteria: The PI has a terminal research degree (PhD, ScD) or has an OTD or EdD with advanced research training (e.g., completion of a post-degree research fellowship).

The PI is a credentialed occupational therapist with a full-time faculty position appointment or an equivalent research position at the time of application, OR a non-OT investigator with a primary academic appointment in an occupational therapy department.

The PI is employed by a U.S. domestic, public or private, non-profit organization/institution that is eligible to receive Foundation research grants and will ensure its accountability and support for the project. The PI is a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national of the U.S. admitted for permanent residence, OR applied for permanent residence.

(For non-citizens/visa holders, the applicant organization must have policies in place to determine whether residence status or visa status will allow completion of the research.) The PI should have a funding history with early-stage, emerging, or early midcareer investigators, which may include small research grants and training-related or mentored career awards.

* AOTF will give preferential consideration to applications that utilize common data elements and include them in their grant applications where appropriate. NIH encourages the use of common data elements (CDEs) in clinical research, patient registries, and other human subject research in order to improve data quality and opportunities for comparison and combination of data from multiple studies and with electronic health records.

*An early career researcher is a Principal Investigator (PI) in the early stages of their independent research career, typically within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree (e.g., PhD, DSc) or equivalent training (such as a degree research fellowship for non-research degrees, e.g., OTD/EdD).

A longer time frame may be more suitable for individuals who have spent a significant amount of time in non-research roles following their degree.

These roles may include clinical practice, teaching-only academic positions, industry work (e.g., regulatory affairs or clinical operations), public health or policy practice, administrative or leadership positions, military or government service, entrepreneurial activities, or caregiving responsibilities. Eligible PIs are generally at the Lecturer, Instructor, Assistant Professor, or early Associate Professor level (or equivalent).

Their funding history may include small research grants, mentored career development awards, or training-related mechanisms aligned with early-stage or emerging investigators. For all of our research grant programs, we are actively soliciting grant applications that examine racial, social, and health inequities and injustices and promote social justice.

Grant applicants are now asked to address how they will involve participants from underrepresented populations. Plans for the inclusion of women and minorities must be included in the application or proposal and scientifically justified. Applications and proposals should describe the composition of the proposed study population in terms of sex/gender and racial/ethnic groups, and provide a rationale for the selection of such subjects.

Any exclusions based on sex/gender or race/ethnicity must include an explanation and justification grounded in scientific or ethical rationale. Investigators should also plan appropriate outreach programs and activities to recruit and retain the proposed study population, consistent with the research project’s purposes.

The Intervention Research Grant represents a unique opportunity to advance occupational therapy science and your research career. With proven success in helping investigators secure larger federal funding, the IRG program serves as a critical stepping stone for early-career researchers ready to make their mark in occupational therapy research. Full Applications Instructions Submit your Letter of Intent beginning August 2026.

Questions: Contact the AOTF at research@aotf. org. Please note that it may take a few days for a reply.

RFA and award guidelines are posted on the AOTF website. Review the research priorities, objectives, approaches, and eligibility criteria found in the RFA. Review award guidelines.

Develop the initial framework for a Letter of Intent and applications. Online Submission for Letter of Intent opens Letter of Intent deadline 11:59 p. m.

ET. Invitations to submit an Application are extended to principal investigators who meet eligibility criteria and whose LOI is accepted by AOTF. Invitees can begin the application.

The application deadline for grants is 11:59 p. m. ET.

Summary statements and award notifications are sent to applicants. General Grant Policies and References For Applicants: While AOTF does not prohibit the use of AI tools to assist in the writing of proposals (e.g., spell-check and language suggestions), applicants remain fully responsible for ensuring their proposals are factually accurate, clearly written, and appropriately cited.

Any AI-generated text must be clearly acknowledged in the application using footnotes. For Reviewers: Reviewers are prohibited from uploading AOTF applications into any AI systems due to concerns with confidential and proprietary information. To ensure integrity and confidentiality are upheld, grant reviewers will be required to submit a confidentiality agreement form before starting the review process.

Wen-Pin Chang, PhD, OTR/L University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Empowering Autistic College Students: Mental Health Skill Building at a Hispanic-Serving Institution Mentor: Shu-Ping Chen, PhD. , OT Reg (University of Alberta) Jessica Kersey, PhD, OTR/L Washington University School of Medicine in St.

Louis Feasibility of ENGAGE-TBI: a Novel Intervention to improve participation After Brain Injury Mentor: Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L (University of Illinois) Melanie Tkach, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L University of Missouri – Columbia Preparing for Adult Roles: Feasibility of a Transition Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy and their Caregivers Mentor: Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Mentor: Kathleen Lyons, OT, ScD, OTR/L Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA Washington University School of Medicine in St.

Louis Community Driven Methods for Screening for Developmental Delay Among Infants and Toddlers with Sickle Cell Disease Mentor: Allison King, MD, PhD, MPH Vanessa Jewell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Feasibility of the REAL-Fam to Support Diabetes Self-Management, Family Participation, and Child Health Mentor: Beth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, CDCES, LRC, FAOTA Colorado State University Using Virtual Reality Technology to Increase Acceptance of Home Modifications for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study Emily Grattan, PhD, OTR/L Examining Metacognitive Strategy Training for Individuals with Unilateral Spatial Neglect Mentor: Elizabeth Skidmore, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FACRM Cleveland State University Ohio Building Resilience and Social-emotional Skills in Under-resourced Preschoolers with History of Trauma Mentor: Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Andrea Fairman, PhD, MOT, OTR/L, CPRP, ATP Johnson & Wales University Clinical Efficacy of CO-OP And Mhealth to Support Self-catheterization In Youth with Spina Bifida Mentor: Douglass Clayton, MD Mark Hardison, PhD, OTR/L Assessing the Feasibility of the Restorative Occupational Approaches for Disordered Eating (ROADE) Program Mentor: Catana Brown, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Emily Kringle, PhD, OTR/L duoABLE: Feasibility of a Behavioral Activation-based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior Among People with Stroke and Their Support Persons Megan Chang, PhD, OTR/L, MS San Jose State University Use of a Telehealth Approach to Build Resilience in Parents of Children with Autism through Mindfulness Practice Mentor: Laurie Drabble, PhD Erika Kemp, OTD, OTR/L, BCP The Ohio State University Determining Efficacy and Active Ingredients of the AquOTic program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Mentor: Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Kendra Heatwole Shank, PhD, OTR/L, CAPS MCI Intervention for Out-of-Home Participation: Aging, Cognition, & Meaningful Engagement (ACME) Mentor: Malcolm Cutchin, PhD Alix Sleight, PhD, OTD, MPH, OTR/L The RISE (Re-Invent, Integrate, Strengthen, Expand) Occupation-Based Self-Management Program for Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Study Mentor: Pamela Roberts PhD, OTR/L, SCFES, FAOTA, CPHQ, FNAP, FACRM Victoria Wilburn, DHSc, OTR, FAOTA Indiana University Indianapolis Utilizing Ecological Momentary Assessment with Adolescents Attending a Recovery High School Mentor: Brandon Sorge, PhD Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, OTD, OTR/L Strategies to Promote the Implementation of Outcome Measures in Stroke Rehabilitation Mentor: Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Jewel Elias Crasta, PhD, OTR/L Characterizing Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Mentor: Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA University of Alabama at Birmingham A Guided Eight-Week Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention for Distressed Family Caregivers of People with Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study Mentor: Hon Yuen, PhD, OTR/L Promoting Adherence in Upper Extremity Home-Based Rehabilitation Through Motivational Interviewing and Ecological Momentary Assessment: A Feasibility Study Mentor: Yael Goverover, PhD, OTR/L Marion Russell, OTD, OTR/L Impact of COVID-19 on Family Quality of Life and Healthcare Access for Families with a Child with Diabetes Mentor: Vanessa Jewel, PhD, OTR/L Namrata Grampurohit, PhD, OTR/L Thomas Jefferson University Post-Discharge Support for Caregivers of Adults with Stroke Through Telehealth Coaching-in-Context Mentor: Mary Jane Mulcahey Danbi Lee, PhD, OTD, OTR/L Return to Life After Stroke: Motivational Interviewing and Self-Management Support in Early Stroke Rehabilitation Janet Njelesani, PhD, OTR/L An Occupation-Based Intervention to Address Bullying Against Students with Disabilities Emily Somerville, OTD, OTR/L Washington University- St.

Louis A Tailored Medication Management Intervention for Older Adults Alex Wong, PhD, DPhil, BSOT Washington University- St.

Louis Feasibility of Mobile Self-Management Intervention for Mild Stroke 2019 Intervention Research Grant Recipients Kelly Anderson, PhD, OTR/L East Carolina University The Role of Success and Failure in the “Just Right Challenge” (Mentor: Anne Elizabeth Dickerson, PhD, OTR/L, SCEDCM, FAOTA, FGSA) Karen Atler, PhD, OTR/L Colorado State University Merging Yoga, Occupational Therapy and Education in Diabetes Management (Mentor: Arlene A.

Schmid, PhD, OTR/L) Kris Barnekow, PhD, OTR/L, IMH-E University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Healthy Transitions from NICU to Home: A Pilot Study of the SMILE Curriculum (Mentor: Deborah Brandon, PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN) Annemarie Connor, PhD, OTR/L Florida Gulf Coast University A Peer-mediated Vocational Social Skills Program for College Students with Autism (Mentor: Connie Sung, PhD, CRC, LPC) Candice Osborne, PhD University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Facilitated Learning in Stroke Rehabilitation: Using Problem Solving and Technology to Address Health and Risk Factors (Mentor: Kathleen Bell, MD) 2018 Intervention Research Grant Recipients Angela Caldwell, PhD, OTR/L, CLT University of Pittsburgh Partnering for Prevention: Promoting Healthy Habits in Underserved Communities (Mentor: Roxanna Bendixen, PhD, OTR/L) Susan Fasoli, ScD, MS, OTR/L MGH Institute of Health Professions A Paradigm Shift: Rehabilitation Robotics, Cognitive Skills Training and Function (Mentor: Teresa Jacobson Kimberly, PhD, PT ) Anne Kirby, PhD, OTR/L University of Utah Pilot Study of the MAPSS (Maximizing Adolescent Post-Secondary Success) Intervention (Mentor: Himle Michael, PhD ) Lauren Little, PhD, OTR/L Rush University Bridging a Service Gap in Autism: A Hybrid Education-Coaching Intervention (Mentor: Winifred Dunn, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA) Rachel Proffitt, OTD, OTR/L University of Missouri Feasibility of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment(R)-BIG Intervention in Stroke (Mentor: Timothy Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA) 2017 Intervention Research Grant Recipients Evan Dean, PhD, OTR/L- University of Kansas Supporting Employment Through Self-determination for Young Adults with ASD (Mentor: Karrie Shogren, PhD) Leah Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L- University of Southern California Environmental Barriers for Adults with ASD During Primary Care Health Encounters (Mentor: Sharon Cermak, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA) Kathleen Lyons, ScD, OTR/L- Dartmouth College Supporting Caregivers of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients: A Feasibility Study of the Ready to CARE program (Mentor: Stephen Bartel, MD, MS) Maureen Russell, PhD, OTR/L, MHI- Northern Arizona University Sleep Interventions for Caregivers and Their Young Children in Part C Programs (Mentor: Carol Baldwin, PhD, RN, NCC, CT, AHN-BC, FAAN) Heather Williamson, DrPH, MBA, OTR/L, CPH- Northern Arizona University Health Equity for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Mentor: Julie Ann Baldwin, PhD) 2016 Intervention Research Grant Recipients Mary Khetani, ScD, OTR/L University of Illinois at Chicago Feasibility Test of a Pediatric Web-Based Care Planning Guide (Mentor: Mary Law, PhD, FCAOT) Mansha Mirza, PhD, OTR/L, MSHOR University of Illinois at Chicago Piloting an Occupational Therapy Intervention in a Primary Care Clinic (Mentor: Anders Kottorp, PhD) Juleen Rodakowski, OTD, MS, OTR/L University of Pittsburgh Empowering Caregivers after Stroke (Mentor: Elizabeth Skidmore, PhD, OTR/L) 2015 Intervention Research Grant Recipients Winifred Dunn, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA University of Kansas Medical Center Feasibility of Telehealth Coaching for Rural Families of Children with Autism Simone Gill, PhD, OTR/L Boston University Use of Motor Learning Principles to Reduce Fall Risks After Surgical Weight Loss Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L Boston University An Environment Problem-Solving Strategy for Parents of Youth with Disabilities Elizabeth Larson, PhD, OTR, FAOTA University of Wisconsin-Madison 5Minutes4Myself: Motivational Occupational Coaching & Mindfulness for Caregivers Susan Magasi, PhD University of Illinois at Chicago Negotiating the Healthcare System: a Peer-OT Lead Intervention Stacey Reynolds, PhD, OTR/L Virginia Commonwealth University Effects of Deep Pressure on Arousal and Performance in Person with Autism Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L FAOTA Thomas Jefferson University Testing Outcomes of a Manualized OT Intervention for Children with Autism 2014 Intervention Research Grant Recipients Erin R.

Foster, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L Washington University School of Medicine Feasibility and Optimization of a Cognitive Intervention for Parkinson Disease Sandy Magaña, PhD, MSW University of Illinois at Chicago Promoting Participation Among Latino Children with ASD Beth Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP Temple University Manualization of an Intervention to Improve Work Environments for Adults with ASD Arlene Schmid, PhD, OTR Colorado State University Merging Yoga and group Occupational Therapy (MY-OT) Mary Ellen Stoykov, PhD, MS, OTR/L Rush University Bilateral Priming for Upper Extremity Hemiparesis in Older Adults