Funding Opportunities for Research and Project Development through CFOT
The California Foundation for Occupational Therapy (CFOT) is committed to occupational therapy client success throughout California by supporting the research and program development efforts of the members of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). To this end, the overall purpose of awarding research grants, research seed money, and project seed money is to encourage the occupational therapy community to engage in formulating questions that can be answered by carefully planned and executed research methodologies and/or by developing cutting edge project/programs that further the goals of client success through occupational therapy.

All occupational therapy practitioners or students in occupational therapy curricula in the state of California are eligible to submit proposals for grants or seed money. Membership in the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) is also a requirement.

Research Grants:

Awards for Research Grants are available to practicing occupational therapists (licensed in California) including academicians and post entry-level students engaged in independent advanced practice, doctoral level, or post-doctoral level research.  These requests can be used to help fund items such as equipment, consultation fees, printing, postage, communications, and supplies used for individual research.  Research funds may only be awarded to an individual(s), not an organization, in order to avoid overhead costs.  Applicants are advised that no indirect costs may be allocated to an institution.  In addition, applicant’s salaries are not reimbursable through these funds.  Priority is given to occupational therapy outcome studies.

Types of Research Grants Available:

• General Grants:  Up to $6,000 available per grant.  Indicate “General” grant upon submission.
• Dr. Robert B. Jaffe, MD, Women’s Health Research Grant: Up to $2,500 available to fund research in women’s health issues.
• Luis Arabit Research Grant in Memory of Consuelo & Marialuz Arabit: Up to $1,000 available to fund physical dysfunction research.
• Bonita Kraft Research Grant:  Up to $1,500 available to fund mental health research.

• Christine Wietlisbach Research Grant: Up to $1,000 available  to fund LGBTQ research.

• The Lisa Test Endowed Research Award: Up to $1,500 available to fund research in women’s mental health, pediatrics, or occupation centered practice.

Research Grants will be awarded once each year at the CFOT Luncheon during the annual OTAC Conference.  Grant requests must be submitted be submitted by June 15 each year.

• Click here to see additional detailed requirements and to download the grant application.

Seed Money: Research Projects and Program Development Projects

Research Seed Money:
Typically, applicants for this funding are individual Occupational Therapy practitioners/academics conducting pilot studies, needs assessments, or studies requiring less extensive research efforts and funding than those applicable for the Research Grants described above. Also, appropriate for this level of funding are research related projects conducted by entry-level occupational therapy students (individually, or in groups of 2 or more) under the supervision of a research/faculty advisor – that is, research that serves as a capstone research assignment requirement for graduation as an entry-level therapist.

• Click here to see additional detailed requirements and to download the research Seed Money guidelines and application.

Program Development Projects Seed Money:
Typically, applicants for this funding are Occupational Therapy Practitioners, or students who are interested in developing a new intervention program, client education program, or projects designed for the public benefit.

Up to $250.00 (per request) in either category of “seed” money may be awarded to practicing occupational therapy practitioners and OT or OTA students to help fund items such as equipment, consultation fees, printing, postage, communications, & supplies used for research or program development projects that address occupational therapy practice.

• Click here to see additional detailed requirements and to download the project/program Seed Money guidelines and application.

“Seed” money will be distributed 4 times per year. Requests are reviewed quarterly and can be submitted throughout the year. No Seed money request is too small!

The Research Grant Advisory Committee is currently developing FAQs for this site and is available to answer your questions, and give guidance on the process. More detailed information on how to contact us is on the CFOT website under Research. We are:

For further information, contact:

Use the above outline for submitting the proposal. Be as clear and concise as possible. Send each Co-Chair listed below an electronic copy of the proposal, and biographical statement(s), proof of current OTAC membership(s) for Principal Contact and all collaborators.

Electronically to:
Judith Palladino
Co-Chair, Research Advisory Committee
Phone: (951) 203-5071
Research@cfot.org

Heidi McHugh Pendleton
Co-Chair, Research Advisory Committee
Phone: (408) 924-3083
FAX: (408) 924-3088
Research@cfot.org

We look forward to hearing from you and providing MONEY for qualifying OT research and program development projects!