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, faculty, 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 are available to practicing occupational therapists (licensed in California) including faculty and post entry-level students engaged in independent advanced practice, doctoral level, or post-doctoral level research. Grants can be used to help fund items such as equipment, consultation fees, printing, postage, communications, and supplies used for individual 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.

Research Grants Available:

• General Grants: Up to $10,000 per grant. Indicate “General” grant upon submission.
• Luis Arabit Research Grant in Memory of Consuelo & Marialuz Arabit: Up to $1,000 to fund research in neurology physical dysfunction.
• Maureen Cunningham Herwood Research Grant: Up to $2,000 to fund research in pediatrics.
• Dr. Robert B. Jaffe, MD Research Grant: Up to $2,000 to fund research in women’s health.
• Bonita Kraft Research Grant: Up to $2,000 to fund research in mental health.

• Legacy Circle Research Grant: Up to $2,000 to fund research in any area of practice.

• Jaynee Taguchi Meyer Research Grant: Up to $2,000 to fund research in OT fieldwork.
• Margaret (Meg) Mitani & Gaylord E. Moss Research Grant: Up to $2,000 to fund research in any area of practice.
• Julie Shaperman Research Grant in Memory of Dr. Martin Shaperman: Up to $2,000 to fund research in any area of practice.
• Lisa Test Endowed Research Grant: Up to $3,000 available to fund research in women’s mental health, pediatrics, or occupation-centered practice.
• Christine Wietlisbach Research Grant: Up to $1,000 to fund research in LGBTQ areas of practice.
• Dorothy (Dottie) Wilson Research Grant: Up to $2,000 to fund research in any area of practice.

Research Grants will be awarded once each year at the CFOT Awards Luncheon and Symposium 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 outline.

Seed Money

Research Seed Money
Typically, applicants for this funding are individual Occupational Therapy practitioners/faculity 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 outline.

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

• Click here to see additional detailed requirements and to download the Project/Program Seed Money guidelines and application outline.

Up to $250 per request may be awarded 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.

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.

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

Heidi McHugh Pendleton
Co-Chair, Research Advisory Committee
Phone: (650) 464-1066
Research@cfot.org

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