List of PhD programs available in physical therapy, rehabilitation and related sciences

• How do you decide if you want to pursue a PhD?  Check out these resources for a pathway to a PhD and career in PT academia.
  
  
• Other student resources, including pursuing a PhD
  
  

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research: Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowship awards

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students

Center on Health Services Training & Research (CoHSTAR) fellowships - annual application deadline is February

American Board of PT Residency & Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) directory

• Residency and Fellowship Accreditation Fact Sheets

• Foundation for PT research (FPTR) grants - annual awards to licensed PTs or PTAs who are APTA members. Applications open in April and close on July 31. The $40,000 Physical Therapy Education Research Grant will be offered in 2026. 
• New in 2023: Digital Physical Therapy Research Grant
• CoHSTAR offers three fellowships to physical therapy researchers. Deadline: February 15
  
• American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) grants 
• APTA Academy of Education research grants
• APTA American Academy of Sports PT (AASPT) grants
• APTA Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy grants
• APTA Academy of Orthopaedic PT (AOPT) grants
• APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy (APTA Pediatrics) grants
• APTA Acute Care grants
• APTA Home Health grants
• APTA New York Chapter -- Arthur J. Nelson Research Designated Fund, up to $15,000 annually (members-only)
• APTA Pelvic Health grants
  

Federal grants

• Department of Education awards grants to improve opportunities & outcomes for nation's postsecondary students.
• Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) funding opportunities
• Long-term rehabilitation training grants (DOE)
• Health careers opportunity grants (HRSA)
• Individuals with disabilities education improvement (IDEA) grants
• Pilot studies grants from Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network (LeaRRn)
• Workshop in Implementation Science and Health Services Research (WISH) 
• Research enhancement award program from NIH R15
• Physical therapy faculty program from Parkinson's Foundation
• Other grant resources from ASAHP

Are there other grants your institution has applied for and/or been granted?  Let us know at acapt@acapt.org.

• List of physical therapy education research events.
  • Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network (LeaRRn) upcoming events
    
    
• List of journals that publish medical and health professions research.
  
  
• Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network (LeaRRn) archived webinars & resources related to research core competencies
  
  
• Sample publications about physical therapy education:
  • Education research in physical therapy: Visions of the possible
  • Recommendations for enhancing physical therapist education - Academic, clinical and residency

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 2023 research agenda

ACAPT Institute for Scholarly Inquiry

Academy of Physical Therapy Research

APTA Academy of Education:

• Scholarship of Education Special Interest Group (SIG)
• Residency/Fellowship Education SIG

Foundation for PT Research

Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network (LeaRRn) archived webinars & resources related to research core competencies