The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, serving as the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) research funding body, is dedicated to optimizing movement and improving the health of society through funding research and developing researchers. With a vision to shape the future of health via physical therapy research, their mission for over 45 years has been to support physical therapy research and researchers through grants, scholarships, and fellowships. They focus on creating a pipeline of skilled researchers capable of innovating and enhancing physical therapy practices, tools, guidelines, and education. Commitment to addressing health disparities highlights their efforts to advance research inclusively.
The Paris Patla Physical Therapy Research Grant aims to support physical therapy research that could optimize movement and improve health outcomes. This grant program underlines the importance of physical therapy research in enhancing healthcare practices, guidelines, and education across professional specialties. It targets to fund both emerging and established researchers focusing on areas that could define the value of physical therapy. Furthermore, it emphasizes addressing health disparities caused by inequalities based on sex, age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disabilities. The Foundation offers an award of $100,000 for either a one or two-year period to advance the profession’s evidence-based practices and support the career launch and advancement of researchers in physical therapy. Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is required for eligibility.