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Research Funding

Applying for IOPTP Funding

A fully completed application form (in English and signed by the main applicant and administrative responsible person of institute) and a CV from the applicant should be received by the IOPTP by March 15, 2025. Application forms should be submitted as a PDF file and sent to researchcommittee@ioptp.org.


ADDITIONALLY, a letter from the President/Chair of the applicant’s IOPTP member organisation must be submitted stating that the applicant is a member.


You will receive a confirmation of receipt. If not received within 6 working days after submission of the application, please send a reminder to the above-mentioned email address.

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The vision of the IOPTP is to empower physiotherapists with an interest in paediatrics to provide effective physiotherapy services for children throughout the world. Additionally, the IOPTP is dedicated to the goal of improving the quality and delivery of services to children and their families. One of the ways that the IOPTP accomplishes this goal is by providing support to physiotherapists during their development of research careers pursuing scientifically based and clinically relevant research that investigates what is necessary in the content and delivery of care to increase the clinical effectiveness and functional outcomes of physiotherapy practice in paediatrics.

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As an organisation of physiotherapists in paediatrics, the IOPTP supports only those intervention studies in which the interventions are directed by physiotherapists (although other individuals may participate in some aspects of the interventions).

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The total amount of funding may vary from year to year (depending on available resources). Guidelines for distribution of funds and criteria for selecting recipients are established by the IOPTP Executive Committee and implemented by the Research Committee of the IOPTP or a Scientific Review Committee appointed by the IOPTP Executive Committee. The Research Committee or Scientific Review Committee will review applications and make recommendations to the IOPTP Executive Committee.

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Objective

The intent of the IOPTP is to fund the most relevant projects taking into account the qualifications of the applicants to ensure that the paediatric physiotherapy profession benefits from the commitment, scholarship, and academic or clinical practice of these individuals.

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Priorities

Priority will be given to applicants who meet the following criteria:

  • Have demonstrated potential for a career as an academic researcher and/or educator in an accredited physiotherapy education program, or a leader in clinical practice.

  • Preference will be given to those whose research is directly related to the Strategic Plan of the IOPTP.

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IOPTP Eligibility

At the time of application, the applicant must:

  • Be a member of an IOPTP member organisation

  • Have met requirements for physiotherapy practice in their IOPTP member country

  • Must demonstrate commitment to further the physiotherapy profession through research, teaching, or practice ​

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Research Integrity

The IOPTP expects that the highest ethical standards and compliance with public laws and regulations will be adhered to by all recipients when undertaking any type of research supported by IOPTP funds. It is expected that recipients will:

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  • Be intellectually honest in proposing, performing, and reporting research

  • Be accurate in representing contribution in research proposals and reports

  • Be fair in peer reviews

  • Be collegial in scientific interactions, including communications and sharing of resources

  • Be transparent in conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest

  • Ensure the protection of human subjects in the conduct of research in accordance with the World Health Organisation -  ­­Ethical Standards and Procedures for Research with Human Beings.

  • Adhere to the mutual responsibilities between investigators and their research teams.

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Criteria for Evaluation of IOPTP Application

Recommendation for funding will be based on the comprehensiveness of the application and the qualifications of the applicant with regard to potential for research, teaching, or practice in physiotherapy. Selection will be based on the following criteria.

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  • Applicant

    • ​Is the applicant’s professional record of high quality? A summary of the applicant’s professional background, future goals, publications and presentations will be considered.

    • Does the applicant demonstrate a commitment to research, teaching or practice in the area of pediatrics in physical therapy?

    • Are the research qualifications(including successful completion of funded research) and track record appropriate for the area of pediatrics?

    • Are the research interests of the applicant and the IOPTP compatible?

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  • Objectives and Plan of Study

    • Does the applicant outline appropriate objectives of the study?

    • Does the proposed plan of study state how the applicant’s objectives address the vision of the IOPTP?

    • Does the applicant describe the potential significance and feasibility of the research plan?

2025 Research Funding Application Form

Research Funding Application Form.png

Click the image to download the application form

Congratulations to our 2024 IOPTP Funding Winners...

  • Eliza Collier - Australia

Eliza's project protocol is titled 'Constraint induced movement therapy for the lower extremity for children with unilateral cerebral palsy - A pilot study protocol. You can read more about her study by clicking the image or watching her YouTube video below.

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  • Caitriona O'Shaughnessy - Ireland

Caitriona's research project is titled: A motor learning based intervention for lower extremities to target walking performance in ambulant children with cerebral palsy: A feasibility study. You can hear more about Caitriona's research in the video below.

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