Business Details
47 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner in Physical Therapy Research Funding
The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research stands as the sole national nonprofit dedicated to advancing physical therapy research and developing researchers. Since our incorporation in 1979, we have invested over $23.4 million in grants, scholarships, and fellowships, fostering groundbreaking research that defines the value of physical therapy and improves patient care. Our rigorous NIH-style review process ensures fair and transparent funding decisions, prioritizing early-career researchers who often secure significant follow-on fundingestimated at $896 millionafter receiving our initial support.Governed by a Board of Trustees and supported by donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations, we maintain a decades-long partnership with the American Physical Therapy Association while operating as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our mission to optimize movement and health through research has shaped the future of physical therapy for over 40 years, creating a pipeline for future researchers and pioneering evidence-based practices that benefit millions.
Services
Research Grants
Fellowships
Scholarships
CoHSTAR Program
Legacy Giving
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- We have funded over $23.4 million in physical therapy research since 1979.
- Our NIH-style review process ensures fair and transparent funding decisions.
- Early-career researchers supported by us secure $896 million in follow-on funding.
- We focus exclusively on physical therapy research, unlike general health foundations.
- Our partnership with APTA strengthens our industry-specific expertise and impact.
What people say
Transformative career support
Transparent funding process
Significant follow-on funding
Pioneering research impact
Strong donor recognition
Services
Research Grants
Our competitive research grants support innovative physical therapy studies that address critical gaps in movement science and patient care. These grants empower researchers to generate evidence-based solutions for improving mobility and health outcomes across diverse populations. By prioritizing clinically relevant projects, we help shape healthcare policies and practices that benefit millions of patients nationwide.
Fellowships
Our fellowships provide early-career researchers with critical funding and mentorship to develop their scientific expertise. These programs build a sustainable pipeline of physical therapy researchers through structured training in grant writing, study design, and clinical implementation. Fellows gain access to national networks that enhance their professional growth and research impact.
Scholarships
Scholarships fund doctoral and postdoctoral students pursuing advanced research training in physical therapy. These awards reduce financial barriers for promising scholars while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Recipients contribute to expanding the profession's knowledge base through dissertation research and subsequent academic careers.
CoHSTAR Program
The Center on Health Services Training and Research develops researchers through mentored training in health services research methodologies. This multi-institutional program addresses workforce development needs while producing actionable data for healthcare decision-makers. Participants gain expertise in evaluating physical therapy's impact within evolving healthcare systems.
Legacy Giving
Our legacy giving program enables donors to create lasting impact through estate planning and charitable trusts. These contributions ensure sustained funding for physical therapy research while providing tax advantages to donors. Legacy Society members help maintain our 40-year commitment to advancing movement science for future generations.
People
Nancy Byl
Physical Therapy Researcher
Dr. Byl, a Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research legacy donor, has dedicated her career to advancing physical therapy research through clinical practice and academic leadership. Her work demonstrates the profession's impact on patient outcomes.
Daniel K. White
Geriatric Research Grant Recipient
Dr. White credits Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research funding for enabling his groundbreaking work in geriatric physical therapy research that improves mobility and quality of life for older adults.
Cheryl I. Kerfeld
Doctoral Scholarship Recipient
Dr. Kerfeld's Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research-funded research advanced cross-cultural understanding of healthcare disparities, shaping her career as a leading physical therapy researcher and educator.
Jan Hughes-Austin
Research Grant Recipient
Dr. Hughes-Austin's Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research-supported work explores innovative interventions for movement disorders, demonstrating the organization's commitment to fostering new research directions.
Richard K. Shields
Doctoral Training Grant Recipient
Dr. Shields' early career research on neuromuscular control was launched through Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research funding, leading to significant contributions in rehabilitation science and academic leadership.
Questions
How does the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research select research recipients?
We use an NIH-style peer review process with expert committees evaluating scientific merit, clinical relevance, and potential impact on physical therapy practice.
Can international researchers apply for funding?
While our primary focus is U.S.-based researchers, we consider applications from qualified international candidates contributing to physical therapy science.
What types of research does the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research prioritize?
We fund studies that advance movement science, improve patient outcomes, and generate evidence supporting physical therapy's role in healthcare systems.
How can I support the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research's mission?
You can contribute through direct donations, planned giving, corporate partnerships, or participating in our Marquette Challenge student fundraising program.
What career stages does the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research support?
We offer funding opportunities for students, early-career researchers, and established investigators through scholarships, fellowships, and research grants.
How does the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research for Physical Therapy Research measure its impact?
We track funded researchers' success through follow-on grants, publications, and clinical implementations, with recipients securing $896 million in subsequent research funding.
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