AOTF-ASHT-AHTF Collaborative Research Grant
Hand in Hand Research Grant
The American Society of Hand Therapists, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) and the American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) have collaborated to launch the Hand in Hand Research Grant. This one-year award aims to fund an early-stage research project that promotes strong community partner engagement in hand and upper extremity therapy.
Centering the perspectives and priorities of these communities is essential to conducting research that is relevant, equitable, and impactful. In this context, community is broadly defined as individuals, groups, and organizations connected by shared characteristics, geography, or social identity- including, but not limited to, race/ethnicity, disability status, gender identity, and sexual orientation.***
Priority areas for research include, but not limited to:
- Health Disparities
- Comparative Effectiveness
- Clinical Practice and Outcome Validation
- Orthosis Use and Biophysical Agents
Award
$50,000 for one year
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Demonstrate strong, formalized collaborations among occupational therapy researchers, hand and upper extremity rehabilitation experts, and community partners;
- Address community-identified needs and priorities;
- Empower community partners to participate fully in the research process;
- Include a plan for sharing results and outlining next steps for scaling and sustaining the work.
Eligibility Criteria
Principal Investigator (PI):
- The PI has a terminal research degree (PhD, ScD) or has an OTD, DPT or EdD with advanced research training and/or experience (e.g., completion of a post degree research fellowship or multiple first author publications).
- The PI is an Early Career Researcher* and a credentialed occupational therapist or physical therapist** who is a certified hand therapist with a full-time faculty position appointment or an equivalent research position at the time of application.
- 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 provide assurance of 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).
Please check the RFA below for additional criteria, considerations and restrictions.
For full details, please visit the AOTF Hand in Hand Research Grant page.
The Principal Investigator (PI) must review eligibility criteria and submit the full application via the online portal by November 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. No deadline extensions will be granted. pplications will be reviewed by a five-member Scientific Review Group, including experts nominated by ASHT (1), AHTF (1), and AOTF (3). Community partners may also participate to provide additional perspectives.