STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship (SMRS)
The STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship supports underrepresented OT professionals in hands-on, mentored research, culminating in a poster presentation at the AOTA INSPIRE Conference.
Funder: American Occupational Therapy Foundation
Due Dates: June 29, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 for a 22-week mentored research experience; includes up to $1,400 for conference expenses.
Summary: Supports underrepresented, disabled, and/or under-resourced OT graduates and clinicians to participate in mentored research at a host institution, culminating in a poster at AOTA INSPIRE.
Key Information: Applicants must not be current faculty, PhD students, or accepted to a PhD program for Fall/Spring 2026–2027.
Description
The STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship (SMRS), offered by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s STRIDE committee, aims to broaden representation in occupational therapy (OT) research by supporting OT graduates and clinicians from underrepresented, disabled, and/or under-resourced backgrounds. The program provides up to $10,000 for a mentored research experience at a U.S. non-profit institution other than the applicant’s own. The experience is designed to build research skills, foster professional growth, and culminates in the preparation and presentation of a poster at the AOTA INSPIRE Conference. Awardees receive mentorship, participate in lab meetings, and engage in research training, with the goal of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the OT research community.
