IPTF $1,000 RESEARCH GRANT
BE A PROUD ILLINOIS PHYSICAL THERAPIST RESEARCHER!
Are you looking for funding to begin or complete a research project? The IPTF has established $1000 research grants and the 2025 Grants are funded through our Day of Giving, the anniversary when we gained Direct Access in Illinois. We invite you to apply for funding by completing the new, consolidated application. Submit your proposal for funding to IPTF c/o IPTA at aconnolly@ipta.org.
New researchers, clinicians pursuing research, students, and academic collaborations with little or no past funding are given the highest priority for this grant. If you would like to be mentored and have someone review your application before submission, please contact the IPTA at aconnolly@ipta.org. We are here to help you through the entire application process.
A PDF copy of the complete application should be sent via email to IPTA at aconnolly@ipta.org
Questions, call 630.360.5511.
NEED HELP WRITING YOUR RESEARCH ABSTRACT? Our Research Committee did a great presentation that help explains how to pick a research topic, conduct research, and write a grant: Mobilizing Clinician Research
APPLICATION OPENS FOR THE 2026 GRANT ON JUNE 2, 2026. DEADLINE TO APPLY IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2026.
2025 Grant recipient
Laura Rice, PT, MPT, PhD at the University of Illinois for her research project titled: Meaningful Interpretation of Self-reported Concern About Falling Measures in Community-Dwelling People Who Use Wheelchairs and Scooters Full-time: Implications for Clinical Research and Practice
2024 Grant recipients
Dawn Brown, PT, DPT, EdD and Kristina Latva, PT For their project: Examining New Doctor of Physical Therapy Faculty Motivation to Participate in Faculty Development
Krista Van Der Laan, PT, DPT for her project: Views of Faculty for Creation of a Contemporary and Inclusive Conceptual Framework for Assessing Professionalism and Professional Identity Formation in DPT Students
Dawn Brown, PT, DPT, EdD and Kristina Latva, PT For their project: Examining New Doctor of Physical Therapy Faculty Motivation to Participate in Faculty Development
Krista Van Der Laan, PT, DPT for her project: Views of Faculty for Creation of a Contemporary and Inclusive Conceptual Framework for Assessing Professionalism and Professional Identity Formation in DPT Students
2023 Grant recipients
Samantha Pietrzak, PT, DPT, NCS & Alyssa Jones, PT, DPT, NCS for their project: Comparison of intensity and step count in three gait training modalities in the inpatient rehabilitation setting post-stroke
Mariah Baliniski, PT, DPT for their project Transcranial direct current stimulation in conjunction with the individualized physical therapy for individuals with chronic knee pain
Elizabeth Holland, PT, DPT, Laura Lenhart, PT, DPT, Hannah Redd, PT, DPT, and Jenna Zander, OTR/L for their project Functional Neurological Disorder: Influence of continuing education courses on rehabilitation clinicians' knowledge and attitudes
2022 Grant recipient
Adam Wielechowski PT, DPT, for his project: Physical therapist Assessment of Yellow Flags in Clinical Practice: A National Survey
2021 Grant recipients
Karen Stevens PT, DPT, MS, OCS, Judy Hess PT, DHS, OCS, CMPT, Cert. DN, and Janey Prodoehl PT, PhD, CCTT for their project: Intrinsic Foot Muscle Activation
Megan Lamphere, PT, DPT, Karla Wente, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT, and Emily Becker, PT, MPT for their project: Logistical Characteristics of Early Professional Physical Therapy Mentorship Programs at Place of Employment
Mickey Shah, PT, DSc for his project: Using Electrophysiological Measures to Evaluate Brain Activity comparing Immersive Virtual Reality to Real-world Simulation: A Pilot Study
2020 Grant recipients
Kate Enzler, PT, DPT, NCS, CLT-Lana & Alyssa Jones, PT, DPT, NCS Received this grant for their research project: Comparison of two high-intensity gait training interventions on contraversive pushing behaviors in individuals poststroke
2019 Grant recipients
Dr. Christian Evans, pt, phd receives this grant for his research project: patterns and sources for contamination and effectiveness of cleaning in an outpatient physical therapy clinic
Dr. Laura Rice, PT, phd, mpt, atp receives this grant for her research project: prediction of falls using clinical balance measures among non-ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury: a prospective cohort study
2018 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Dawn Drumm, PT
Use of a Tummy Time Intervention and Parent Education in Infants Born Preterm: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Julie Schwertfeger, PT, DPT, MBA, CBIST
Community Coping Interventions for Stroke
Richard Severin, PT, DPT, CCS, PhD(c)
Respiratory Muscle Performance: A Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Morbidly Obese Patients
2017 Grant Recipients
Breanna Reynolds, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
Thrust Joint Manipulation to the Cervical Spine in Patients with a Primary Complaint of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD): A Randomized Clinical Trial
CHRISTIAN EVANS, PT, PHD
POTENTIAL SOURCES OF INFECTION IN PHYSICAL THERAPY OUTPATIENT CLINIC: IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT & PROVIDER SAFETY
2016 gRANT recipients!
Prisca M. Collins, PT, PhD; William E. Healey, PT, EdD, GCS; Gail M. Huber, PT, PhD
Outpatient Physical Therapy Presence & Access in Medically Underserved Chicago Communities