The function of the OPTA Research Fund is to promote and support research studies relative to clinical practice, education or administration which will enhance the profession of physical therapy. This is provided through grants for approved activities.

OPTA RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The OPTA Research Committee is pleased to announce the annual call for applications for OPTA's small grant program. Projects with substantial collaboration among clinical and academic researchers will receive priority consideration during the 2019 review process.

Our small grant program typically funds smaller budget projects or partially funds larger projects. The range of requested funds in recent years has been $500 - $2800, with the highest scored projects receiving the amount of funding requested until all available money is awarded.

2019 GRANT APPLICATION DETAILS

• Grant applications are no longer being accepted for the 2019-2020 cycle.
• The application and review form for the 2020-2021 cycle will be available on this page starting May 1, 2020.
• Recipients of grants for the 2019-2020 cycle will be announced at OPTimize MOVEment on Sept. 27.

QUESTIONS? Contact Research Committee at opta.research.committee@gmail.com

INTERESTED IN COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES?

One of the goals of OPTA Research Committee is to promote research collaboration among clinicians and academicians who have similar research interests. If you are interested in engaging in collaborative research, please open the Google Sheet document (linked here) and select either Researcher or Clinician and populate the required information. Changes are automatically saved. 

Want to learn more about how the Research Committee is raising funds to provide more research for the physical therapy profession? Watch our crowdfunding video here.

2018 Research Grant Award Recipients

The OPTA Research Committee would like to recognize and congratulate the following researchers, along with their respective team of researchers, as the 2018 OPTA Research Grant recipients. This year's winning projects were chosen from exceptional applications and will receive funds to support clinical site fees, equipment costs, and participant support costs. 

PROJECT: "Assessment of a 10-week exercise program wearing unstable over-the-shoe device versus foam surface among people with Parkinson's disease"

• Principal Investigator: Lucinda Bouillon, PT, PhD

PROJECT: "The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Adolescents with Anterior Knee Pain"

• Principal Investigator:  Mitchell Selhorst, PT, DPT

PROJECT: "Impact of Inpatient Physical Therapy Intervention on Adults with Cystic Fibrosis"

• Principal Investigator:  Alysha Walter, PT, DPT

OPTimize 2018 Best Platform Presentation

PROJECT: "Improving Clinical Diagnostic Decision Making for Young Athletes with Low Back Pain:  A Retrospective Review"

• Investigators: from Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus

  · Dr. Alexander Rosert

  · Dr. Taylor Stern

  · Dr. Mitchell Selhorst

OPTimize 2018 Best Poster Presentation

PROJECT: "Diagnosing Spondylosis in Adolescent Athletes: Is it Worth the Cost? A Retrospective Review"

• Investigators: from Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus

  · Dr. Taylor Stern

  · Dr. Alexander Rosert

  · Dr. Mitchell Selhorst