Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships | Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

2027 Promotion of Doctoral Studies Open Next Month

The application period for the 2027 Promotion of Doctoral Studies scholarships is expected to open October 13. We encourage eligible academic pre-candidacy doctoral students and doctoral candidates to apply.

What are the key 2027 dates?

October 13

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.

Doctoral Candidate Phase
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?

We have a number of both types of awards that are not restricted to a specific focus, in addition to the achievement awards we offer each year. We expect to offer up to 18 pre-candidate (PODSI) and up to 9 candidate (PODSII) awards.

We also encourage applications because most years, the chances of scoring well enough to be nominated for a PODSI award has been averaging roughly 1 in 2. The chances fluctuate year to year for PODSII. This year, the chances will be roughly 1 in 4. In terms of chances for national competitive awards, these are excellent odds. Further, applying and getting constructive reviewer comments helps build essential grant-writing skills.

Three awards recognizing both academic achievement and career intentions:

Viva J. Erickson Award for extraordinary academic merit and leadership
Bella May Award for creative approaches to one’s doctoral education by an awardee intending to teach
Mildred L. Wood Award for an outstanding student who intends to teach in a PT education program (one PODSI and one PODSII)

Eight awards focus on specific areas and the applicant must be a member of the sponsoring academy, where applicable:

Acute Care
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary (two PODSI or one PODSII)

Electrophysiology (Charlene Mae Nelson (PODSI)

Geriatrics (one PODSI and one PODSII)
Health Services Research (one PODSI and one PODSII)
Neurology (three PODSI and two PODSII)
Pediatrics (PODSII only)
PT Education (PODSI)

How are applications reviewed?

Visit our Application Review Process page for an overview of how applications are reviewed

Receive Doctoral Scholarship Email Updates Directly

Applicants for either PODS award are very strongly encouraged to sign up for our emails to receive important FAQs or urgent notifications that clarify current application documents or the application form on ProposalCentral.