Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants.

Preparing Grant Proposals and Scholarship Applications

During PT 2001, the Foundation for Physical Therapy will present a workshop titled "Foundation Funding Application Tips" on June 21, from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the experts about completing funding applications for the Foundation.

Panelists from the Foundation's Scientific Review Committee will offer advice and helpful tips on applying for Foundation scholarships (McMillan, PODS I, and PODS II), fellowships (NIFTI), and research grants. Information will include how to complete a competitive application, how applications are scored, what reviewers look for, and ways applications can be improved.

The panelists will include:

Stuart Binder-Macleod, PT, PhD, University of Delaware 

Anthony Delitto, PT, PhD, FAPTA, University of Pittsburgh

Kathryn Roach, PT, PhD University of Miami 

Richard Shields, PT, PhD University of Iowa 

David Sinacore, PT, PhD Washington University 

Where Do Foundation Dollars Go?

During PT 2001, the Foundation will also present a forum titled "Where Do Foundation Dollars Go? An Inside Look at Foundation for Physical Therapy Funded Research Programs" on June 22, from 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM. Attendees will learn about research activities funded by the Foundation and how those projects may lead to changes in clinical practice. Discussion will address questions such as: What kind of research is funded by the Foundation? Why is the Foundation's support of doctoral education and postdoctoral research important? How does a major research program grow out of a pilot project? Why does it take so long for research findings to affect clinical practice?

The panelists are recipients of Foundation scholarships, fellowships, and grants, and will include:

Andrea Behrman, PT, PhD University of Florida 

Christian Evans, PT, PhD Midwestern University

Kristen Gerlach, PT, MPT State University of New York at Buffalo

Sharon Olson, PT, PhD Texas Woman's University 

Rose Marie Rine, PT, PhD University of Miami

Gretchen Salsich, PT, PhD St Louis University

Students Help Fund Research Grants

With a future in physical therapy, students have an interest in the evaluation of traditional interventions and the development of new ones, with the ultimate goal of improving people's health. "By participating in the Miami-Marquette Challenge, students will have a profound impact on the physical therapy profession by helping to fund research that may direct the futuro of physical therapy," student coordinator Nancy Novogrodsky, SPT, of the University of Miami, said. Each year physical therapy students nationwide compete for prizes and national exposure in the Miami-Marquette Challenge. They participate by conducting fundraising campaigns and donating the proceeds to the Foundation for Physical Therapy. Donations are designated to research related to the effectiveness of physical therapist practice. The support is in the form of research grants for physical therapists conducting scientific and clinical research that seeks to:

* Evaluate the clinical effectiveness of therapeutic interventions; and

* Assess the interaction between patient characteristics and therapeutic methods.

Beyond contributing to an important cause, there are added incentives for students to participate. Students from the top 3 education programs are rewarded with prizes such as a trip to APTA's annual conference, paid conference registration, and tickets to Foundation events. Honorable mentions are awarded to students from programs that donate $2,000 or more. In the 2000 campaign, PT and PTA students from 48 schools raised more than $76,000 in donations for the Foundation. This was the highest participation and amount raised ever. Although they are excited about last year's results, the coordinators of the Miami-Marquette Challenge believe that much more money can be raised in the future. "The 48 schools that participated represent only 10 percent of accredited PT and PTA education programs," student coordinator Kathleen Bernard, SPT, of Marquette University, said. "If every school that did not participate in 2000 raised $100 in 2001, the Challenge would bring in almost $45,000 in `new' money."

The winners of the 2000 Miami-Marquette Challenge were:

First Place: University of Pittsburgh Second Place: Emory University Third Place: Northwestern University

Six schools received honorable mentions. A complete list of schools that participated is available online at www.apta.org/Foundation. When sending donations for the 2001 Miami-Marquette Challenge, please make checks payable to the Foundation for Physical Therapy and specify that your contribution be earmarked for the "Miami-Marquette Challenge." Please also include the name of your school and a person who the Foundation may call with any questions.

Donations for the 2001 Challenge must be received by the Foundation by May 4. Prize winners will be recognized on June 22 at APTA's Honors and Awards Ceremony during PT 2001 in Anaheim, California.

For a more information on the Miami-Marquette Challenge, call the Foundation for Physical Therapy at 800/875-1378.