Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

01/15/2026

APTA CSM 2026 is a month away! We are looking forward to seeing everyone there—stop by booth #1739 to learn more about the Foundation, see the list of 2025 funding recipients, play some games, and connect with Foundation staff and trustees.

01/14/2026

We’re thrilled to announce new appointments to the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research Board of Trustees!

These leaders bring decades of experience across research, education, and clinical practice. Their combined expertise will help the Foundation respond to the evolving landscape of physical therapy and the growing needs in research.

Learn more: https://foundation4pt.org/foundation-welcomes-new-trustees-to-board-2026/

01/09/2026

Meet Ben Killen, PT, DPT, a second-year PhD student in the Human Movement Sciences program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying how to combine motor learning approaches to improve walking in people with Parkinson's disease.

In 2025, he received the Viva J. Erikson Award from the Foundation, which is given to a pre-candidacy doctoral student for extraordinary academic merit and leadership.

01/07/2026

Applications for the 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship are now open!

Licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who are members of APTA and who have received an academic research doctoral degree, e.g., DSc, EdD or PhD, since June 1, 2024 are eligible to apply. The fellow will be a full-time employee at their sponsoring institution, have a mentor, and be able to devote 100% time to their training and research.

The fellowship amount is $75,000. Applications must be submitted by 4:59 p.m. EDT on March 30.

Guidelines and instructions are available on the Foundation website.

https://foundation4pt.org/fellowships/

01/06/2026

Submission deadline extended to January 19!

Are you a physical therapy researcher looking to improve your grant writing skills? The Workshop in Implementation Sciences and Health Services (WISH) is still accepting applications.

⏰DEADLINE EXTENDED: Are you interested in improving your grant writing skills? The Workshop in Implementation Sciences and Health Services (WISH) is still accepting applications!

This three-day workshop will give you all the tools you need to turn your innovative rehabilitation research proposals into funding to advance your research.

📝Complimentary registration
✈️ A limited number of travel awards are available
🗓️May 26-28, 2026 | 📍Alexandria, VA

Submit your application by January 19: tinyurl.com/WISH2026

Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network
Center on Health Services Training & Research
Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

01/02/2026

Reminder! Applications for the 2026 Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships are due on January 20 at 4:59 p.m. EST. For full details, including guidelines and instructions, visit the link below.

https://foundation4pt.org/scholarships/

12/31/2025

A look back at 2025. This year’s recap includes support for doctoral students and candidates, new research funding, and the return of our postdoctoral fellowship.

Thank you to everyone who invested in physical therapy research and the development of PT researchers this year. We are proud to support the scholars and researchers furthering the evidence for our profession and excited to continue this work in 2026!

12/29/2025

How would you explain the value of physical therapy research to a neighbor?

Rick Segal, PT, PhD, FAPTA, shares his answer in our latest researcher spotlight. As year end approaches, his perspective is a reminder of why investing in physical therapy research matters.

Past Foundation-funded researchers like Laurie King, PT, PhD, are part of the work he describes, advancing research that improves care for people with mild traumatic brain injury.

Watch Rick's interview: https://tr.ee/zh1P3l
Check out our previous interview with Laurie: https://tr.ee/mzFdY0

12/23/2025

Happy holidays from all of us at the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research!

This year, together, we supported doctoral students, a postdoctoral fellow, and physical therapy researchers working to build the evidence for our incredible profession. Thank you to everyone in our physical therapy research community who made this possible. We are grateful for your support and wish you a warm and joyful holiday season.

12/18/2025

We are thrilled to announce that we have awarded nine research grants to support promising studies across a range of physical therapy areas.

Learn more about them here: https://foundation4pt.org/foundation-for-physical-therapy-research-announces-2025-research-grant-funding/

12/17/2025

In our most recent Researcher Spotlight, Rick Segal, PT, PhD, FAPTA, shares advice for those interested in a career in research. He reflects on the importance of strong mentorship, choosing the right environment, and learning from peer review and feedback along the way.

Watch his full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIkmtUHmYTk&t=4s

12/11/2025

Meet Matthew Paponetti PT, DPT, OCS, a 2025 Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarship awardee. Matt is a board certified orthopedic physical therapist specializing in pediatric obesity treatment at Nationwide Children's Hospital and a PhD student at The Ohio State University.

He helps youth discover fun and meaningful ways to be active, addresses pain and movement limitations, and builds the confidence needed for lifelong physical activity engagement.

His PhD research focuses on improving physical activity interventions for youth with obesity, with special attention to adolescents who are receiving newer obesity management medications. He is an active community educator, providing training on physical activity promotion to physical therapy residents, health care providers through Project ECHO, and local students and teachers.

Matt has also taken up long distance running in recent years and has completed two ultramarathons, one in Switzerland and one in Ohio!

Watch this video to hear a message from Matt: https://lnkd.in/gytaWj3q