What are the key dates?
| By June 30, 2026 | Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarship awardees announced |
| October 13, 2026 | 2027 Scholarship applications open |
Who can apply?
Licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who are APTA members pursuing a PhD, EdD, DSc, or other academic doctoral degrees with the intent to pursue a career in physical therapy related research.
What types of scholarships are offered?
Pre-candidate Student Phase
An annual* award of $7,500 to support the coursework phase of academic research doctoral studies prior to candidacy.
An annual* award of $7,500 to support the coursework phase of academic research doctoral studies prior to candidacy.
Doctoral Candidate Phase
An annual* award of $15,000 to support the candidacy phase of academic research doctoral studies.
An annual* award of $15,000 to support the candidacy phase of academic research doctoral studies.
*Applicants must reapply each year
What are the award areas?
The Foundation does not restrict physical therapy-related research areas on which an applicant may focus. A number of awards may be awarded to the best scoring applicant focused on any physical therapy area.
However, there are a number of awards that have specific requirements, which are listed below. PODSI means awards are restricted to pre-candidate students and PODSII means awards are restricted to doctoral candidates. Both awards means that awards may be offered either to PODSI or PODSII or both.
Awards recognizing both academic achievement and career intentions:
- Bella May Award for creative approaches to one’s doctoral education by an awardee intending to teach (PODSI)
- Charlene Mae Nelson Award for a student focusing on electrophysiology (preferred) (Both awards)
- Mildred L. Wood Award for an outstanding student who intends to teach in a PT education program (PODSI)
- Viva J. Erikson Award for extraordinary academic merit and leadership (Both awards)
Awards for research focused on specific areas:
- Acute Care
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary (both awards)
- Geriatrics (both awards)
- Health Services Research (PODSI)
- Neurology (Both awards)
- Pediatrics (PODSII)
- Pelvic Health (PODSI)
How are applications reviewed?
Visit our Application Review Process page for an overview of how applications are reviewed
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View the 2025 Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarship Awardees
The Foundation relies on a range of contributions from APTA and its components and from the estate planning of individuals and families that have established endowment funds or contributed to funds that help make our scholarships possible. Our sincere thanks to the following:
- Bella May Endowment Fund
- Charlene Mae Nelson Endowment Fund
- Florence P. Kendall Endowment Fund
- Mildred L. Wood Endowment Fund
- Phoebe Rhomberger Endowment Fund
- St. John Family Foundation
- Viva J. Erickson Endowment Fund