[American Occupational Therapy Foundation](https://www.aotf.org)

October 2026 | February 2027

$5,000 for a one-year postdoctoral research fellowship; no indirect costs allowed.

Supports postdoctoral research advancing occupational therapy theory and practice, focusing on the human condition, health, and social justice.

Forecasted cycle—dates are projected; check the program page for updates.

--- ## Description The Nedra Gillette Endowed Research Fellowship provides a one-year, $5,000 award to support postdoctoral researchers conducting foundational studies in occupational therapy. The fellowship encourages interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research that examines how health, participation in valued roles, and social justice shape the human experience. Special emphasis is placed on projects that advance the theoretical foundations of occupational therapy, including client-centered, occupation-based innovations, and on refining the therapeutic use of self to enhance client engagement in treatment. The award honors Nedra Gillette’s legacy of fostering scientific inquiry and research capacity within the occupational therapy profession. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (anticipated): Application submission deadline - February 2027 (anticipated): Full application submission deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $5,000 for a one-year postdoctoral research project - No indirect or F&A costs allowed - Funds must support the research efforts of the postdoctoral fellow and may be used flexibly for research-related expenses --- ## Eligibility Applicants must: - Hold a degree in occupational therapy and a doctorate (PhD/OTD/DrOT/ScD) in OT or a non-OT field; if the doctorate is in a non-OT field, the postdoc must be conducted in an OT department. - Conduct research at a U.S. academic institution (non-profit). - Have a mentor with expertise relevant to the proposed research. - Have IRB approval in process or secured prior to funding (not required at submission, but required before funds are released). - Be a U.S. citizen or have appropriate residency/visa documentation. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted through the Proposal Central platform. - Required materials include: - Applicant biosketch (max 5 pages, NIH format) - Mentor biosketch (max 5 pages, NIH format) - Mentor’s letter of commitment - Letter of recommendation from the mentor - Research essay (up to 6,000 characters), describing project relevance to the fellowship’s focus - Detailed budget and justification - High-resolution photo of applicant - Proof of citizenship/residency/visa - IRB approval (required before funds are released) - Validate and submit the application on Proposal Central; confirmation will be provided upon successful submission. --- ## Additional Information - The award period is typically one year (anticipated September–September). - No-cost extensions (up to 3 months) may be requested with justification. - Awardees must provide a final report within 30 days of project completion and update the funder on related activities (publications, presentations, grants) for five years post-award. - All publications and presentations must acknowledge AOTF support. --- ## External Links - [Program page: Nedra Gillette Endowed Research Fellowship](https://www.aotf.org/Grants/Nedra-Gillette-Endowed-Research-Fellowship) - [2026 Application Instructions (PDF)](https://www.aotf.org/Portals/0/Post%20Doc_%20Fellowships_%202026_Application%20Instructions.pdf?ver=PgW7YEak_YXGDXRcQCtNTg%3d%3d) - [2026 Award Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.aotf.org/Portals/0/Images/Fellowship%20and%20Scholarship_Award%20Guidelines_2026_2.pdf?ver=Rh4rh-ZORvXcm0iEubNovQ%3d%3d%27) - [Proposal Central Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [research@aotf.org](mailto:research@aotf.org) | | AOTF Main Office | 7501 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814 | | Phone | 1-800-SAY-AOTA (729-2682) | | [Contact Form](https://www.aotf.org/About-AOTF/Contact-Us) | Online submission available | ---

Nedra Gillette Endowed Research Fellowship

Sign in to see full grant listing