Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR) Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) I, II Scholarships & Combined PODS II/NIFTI
PODS I & II Scholarships, part of the Foundation’s Doctoral Opportunities for Clinicians and Scholars (DOCS) Program, are to fund post-professional doctoral students, who, having completed one full year of coursework, wish to continue their studies or have entered the dissertation phase of their post-professional doctoral program. The Foundation encourages applicants from general and specialty areas to apply for funding. Scholarship categories within the PODS program have been established for the two distinct phases of education and training:
- PODS I – $7, 500 In support of the coursework phase of post-professional doctoral studies prior to candidacy (as defined by the applicant’s institution). A PODS I scholarship is competitively renewable for a maximum of one additional year (new application required each year).
- PODS II – Up to $15,000 in support of the post-candidacy phase of post-professional doctoral studies (as defined by the applicant’s institution). A PODS II scholarship is competitively renewable for a maximum of one additional year (new application required each year).
The scholarship year begins September 1, of the year of application, and ends August 31 of the following year. Students may competitively re-apply for support for up to the maximum specified in each award program and each level. Students may be competitively awarded consecutive PODS I and II scholarships for a total of four years of funding in the PODS program.
- PODS I – $7, 500 In support of the coursework phase of post-professional doctoral studies prior to candidacy (as defined by the applicant’s institution). A PODS I scholarship is competitively renewable for a maximum of one additional year (new application required each year).
- PODS II – Up to $15,000 in support of the post-candidacy phase of post-professional doctoral studies (as defined by the applicant’s institution). A PODS II scholarship is competitively renewable for a maximum of one additional year (new application required each year).
The maximum aggregate amount per applicant for all PODS I & PODS II post-professional doctoral scholarships is $45,000. NO OVERHEAD (indirect costs) ARE ALLOWED.
For PODS I: at the time the award commences, and PODS II: at the time of application, the applicant must:
- Possess a license to practice physical therapy in the U.S. or in a U.S. jurisdiction, or
- Have met all the requirements for physical therapy licensure in the U.S. or in a U.S. jurisdiction, including having received a passing score on the licensure exam, or
- Possess a physical therapist assistant license in the U.S. or in a U.S. jurisdiction, or
- Have met all the requirements for licensure as a physical therapist assistant in the U.S. or in a U.S. jurisdiction, including having received a passing score on the licensure exam.
- Be enrolled as a full or part-time student in a regionally, fully accredited post-professional doctoral program whose content has a demonstrated relationship to physical therapy. Students enrolled in transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t- DPT) programs are not eligible for Foundation scholarship support.
- Must demonstrate commitment to further the physical therapy profession through research and teaching in the United States and its territories.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
See Guidelines for Applicants for specific eligibility requirements for PODS I and PODS II
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