Criteria for Selection and Eligibility Requirements

Nominees for this award must demonstrate:

• Outstanding basic clinical and/or educational research that pertains to physical therapy that is sustained for at least 10 years and makes a meaningful contribution to the scientific basis of physical therapy.
• Grant funding and extramural funding will also be considered.
• Publication of scientific studies with sufficient frequency in appropriate scientific and/or professional publications.
• Presentation of scientific studies orally with sufficient frequency to the appropriate audiences.

Criteria for Eligibility

• Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who are current members in good standing of the association.

A strong application should demonstrate the following:

Outstanding clinical, epidemiological and/or educational research that has made a meaningful contribution to the scientific basis of physical therapy diagnosis, assessment, movement analysis and/or therapeutic intervention strategies for at least 10 years:

• Research has been continuous and sustained for at least 10 years.
• Clinical and/or educational research.
• Research has made a meaningful contribution to the scientific basis of physical therapy based on provided references.
• Grant funding and extramural funding procurement capabilities.

Published scientific studies with sufficient frequency in appropriate scientific and/or professional publications (includes peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications).

Publicly presented studies with sufficient frequency to appropriate audiences.

Demonstrated leadership and continuity of professional commitment to physical therapy.

Provided reprints of four scholarly works published by refereed journals that present clear evidence of sustained and outstanding research.

Letters of support should:

• Explicitly state how the nominee is qualified under the criteria for selection by providing details on what the nominee has accomplished during their professional career that augments the information contained in the nominee’s vita, and how it has specifically impacted physical therapy research and/or practice.
• Reflect genuine knowledge and consideration of the nominee’s qualifications for this award.
• Indicate in what capacity the author works or worked with, or otherwise knows personally, the nominee.

What Recipients Receive

An award will be presented to the recipient by APTA's Board of Directors at an APTA national event, and an official announcement will appear in an association publication.

Submission Requirements

During the online process, the following documents will be required for upload:

• Current curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee.
• A letter of nomination that specifically focuses on the strengths of the nominee in relation to the award criteria, not to exceed three pages. Letters of nomination cannot serve as one of the required letters of support.
• Two letters of support obtained from individuals who can specifically address the criteria for selection in relation to the nominee, not to exceed two pages each. (Note: If more than two letters of support are received, only the first two will be considered. The nominator will be asked to remove additional letters.)
• Electronic reprints of four scholarly works published by refereed journals that present clear evidence of sustained and outstanding research.

Submit a Nomination

The nominations call for the Honors and Awards program is open Sept. 1- Dec. 1. Nominations must be submitted through our online portal by Dec. 1; late submissions will not be considered. Selected recipients and their nominators will be notified in May.

Additional Resources

For questions regarding the nomination process or the award, please contact APTA Honors and Awards.