The Foundation for Physical Therapy (FPT) has announced that it is accepting letters of intent to apply for funding from the Center of Excellence in Physical Therapy Health Services and Health Policy Research and Training (COE) until June 30, 2014. The COE is an initiative that aims to expand the number of physical therapist investigators trained in health services/health policy research, including the delivery, organization, and financing of care, as well as analysis of outcomes.

Letters of intent will be accepted through June, while the deadline for full applications is September 30. All institutions that submit a letter of intent to apply will be eligible to submit a full application. Complete instructions regarding the letter of intent submission process and the full application are available on the FPT website.

According to a news release from the FPT, the foundation will award a $2.5 million grant to the most qualified applicant to launch and manage the COE. An ad hoc scientific review committee will review applications, and the Board of Trustees expects to award the grant in 2015.

Foundation Board of Trustees President William G. Boissonnault, PT, DPT, DHSc, FAPTA, FAAOMPT, says, “We are extremely pleased that we have opened the letter of intent to apply process for the Center of Excellence grant. The COE will provide the skills and training to a whole new generation of physical therapists who will produce research that identifies the most efficacious and effective ways to provide high quality care for our patients.”

Boissonnault adds, “Along with our commitment to continue funding clinical research and fund the COE, the Foundation’s goal is to also offer scholarships and grants to physical therapists interested in a career in health services/health policy research. We look forward to working with those organizations, institutions, and individuals who are eager to join our efforts.”

Source: FPT