Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award
The Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award supports emerging researchers studying physical activity behavior and promotion in everyday settings to advance research in physical education and public health.
Funder: SHAPE America
Due Dates: December 11, 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: One or more annual awards of up to $2,000 each
Summary: Supports emerging researchers studying physical activity behavior, promotion, and public health.
Key Information: Applicants must be SHAPE America members, and awards are payable to the principal investigator’s institution.
Description
The Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award is a SHAPE America grant intended to develop future researchers in physical education, physical activity, and public health. It supports behavioral research on physical activity promotion, including studies at the individual, group, or societal level and work examining policy.
Primary consideration goes to studies in natural settings such as schools, parks, and homes rather than laboratories, and to work related to disease prevention rather than rehabilitation. The award funds the study of behavior, not mentalistic outcomes such as self-concept or literacy, or biological outcomes such as heart rate or cholesterol.
