Funder: NATA Research & Education Foundation
Due Dates: February 15, 2027 (Full proposals) | September 1, 2027 (Pre-proposals) | October 1, 2027 (Intent to resubmit)
Funding Amounts: Professional: up to $20,000–$30,000 over 2–3 years; doctoral: $2,500; master’s: $1,000
Summary: Supports professional and graduate student research advancing athletic training practice, education, patient outcomes, and the profession.
Key Information: Professional full proposals require an invitation after pre-proposal review, except qualifying resubmissions; students apply directly.
Description
The NATA Research & Education Foundation supports athletic training research through Professional and Student Research Grant Programs. Professional categories include General, New Investigator, Athletic Training Education and Practice, and Thematic Research. Student grants support doctoral research and guided master’s research conducted with an institutional faculty or research/instructional staff mentor. Funding priorities include patient-oriented outcomes, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of athletic trainer care, and the epidemiology of conditions athletic trainers manage.
The Education and Practice category prioritizes under-researched questions about professional vitality, healthcare education, healthcare economics, and health information technology. The 2026–2027 thematic priority is Female Athletes/Women’s Health, including reproductive and hormonal health, performance, nutrition, mental health, injury prevention and recovery, pregnancy/postpartum participation, pelvic health, and patient-centered interdisciplinary care for women and girls.
