Research Grants
Types of PRF grants
The Physiotherapy Research Foundation has implemented a strategy to identify research activities that will provide specific and relevant evidence-based information that will really make a difference. This strategy focuses on two methods of assigning research grants, these are strategy led activities and researcher led activities.
In 2022, the PRF awarded:
Pitchfest Judges’ Award
1
worth a total of
$15,000
Seeding Grants
6
worth a total of
$68,327
University Prizes
5
worth a total of
$750
These activities will identify areas of interest that are of importance to the physiotherapy profession. Feedback provided by members will shape these areas and in some cases, we will partner with external parties to initiate and oversee grants. These targeted grants will strengthen the APA’s advocacy and deliver real time, powerful data-driven arguments to decision makers for the effectiveness of physiotherapy treatments for a resilient and thriving private sector. Some examples of these initiatives are the recent Telehealth Project, the PROMs Data Project and the Insurance Commission of WA.
Current Projects:
1. Telehealth Evaluation Project
It was identified in April 2019 that telehealth was a topic of focus and as such an APA Telehealth Advisory Committee was formed in late 2019. This Committee identified the need to conduct research into the effectiveness of Telehealth by physiotherapists in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim: To provide evidence that telehealth physiotherapy is safe, effective and valued by consumers to ensure ongoing funding post COVID-19.
If you are interested in participating in this project please click here for more information.
2. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
The PROMs Data Pilot will investigate the feasibility of our profession to digitally collect patient-reported outcome data on the effectiveness of physiotherapy intervention in private practice. Patient-reported outcome data is becoming increasingly important in demonstrating the effectiveness of healthcare, so it is important that as a profession we understand our ability to collect this data to enable us to continue to advocate for physiotherapy services and to improve patient outcomes.
Aim: To demonstrate our ability to collect data on the effectiveness of physiotherapy treatments.
We have now gained full approval from Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee to proceed and have completed all of our preliminary testing to ensure your data is secure and our processes are robust.
If you already subscribe to Physitrack, simply click here.
If you already subscribe to MyScoreIt, simply click here.
Your participation will help us drive quality improvement and innovation for the profession.
Designed to support researchers to develop evidence which benefits the profession. These include Seeding Grants and the Beryl Haynes Memorial Fund Grant.
Seeding Grants
Seeding Grants are to assist new researchers working on new or established research projects. The purpose of these grants are to help researchers begin their research career. In 2022, six Seeding Grants will be offered with a maximum amount of $12,000 for each.
Beryl Haynes Memorial Fund Grant
The Beryl Haynes Memorial Fund was established in 1992 by the Tasmanian Branch Council to support Tasmanian physiotherapy research in memory of Beryl, a pioneering leader in the Tasmanian Health system over decades. The grant is offered for clinical research conducted in Tasmania. The research can relate to any area of physiotherapy practice and the grant will be awarded on the basis of scientific merit and the relevance of the research. Please note this grant is not offered every year.
Council is now calling for interested applicants to pitch their research idea via a short, written document describing the background and importance of the project to the Tasmanian community, as well as an overview of their research experience. Endorsed pitches will then proceed to the Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) and have the opportunity for mentorship to develop their application and form a research team.
There are two grants of up to $15,000 each on offer for physiotherapists working or studying in Tasmania. The research can relate to any area of physiotherapy practice and the grant is designed to support new researchers.
For more information click here or for all enquires please email: jenine.fleming@australian.physio
Applying for a grant
The Physiotherapy Research Foundation funds researcher led grants annually. Physiotherapists interested in enhancing their career and making a valuable contribution to the profession are encouraged to complete an expression of interest form, which is then reviewed by the PRF Review Committee. The Committee provide valuable feedback on each and every application which can be incredibly insightful for first time researchers. Once the EOI’s are reviewed and shortlisted, applicants will be contacted and ask to complete an application form.
The Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) is pleased to announce that up to six Seeding Grants of $12,000 each will be offered in 2022.
The PRF Seeding Grants are for early career researchers working on new or established research projects. Applications are considered predominantly on the basis of scientific merit and significance, rather than the applicant’s research record. Grants will be evaluated by the PRF Committee whose decisions shall be considered final, on the recommendation of the PRF Grants Review Committee.
The applicant must:
- be the Chief Investigator of the project
- hold current unconditional registration as a physiotherapist with AHPRA
- be an Australian citizen, or have permanent resident status
- currently reside in Australia
- be a financial member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and maintain APA membership at the time of application and for the duration of the grant.
- be an early career researcher.
The applicant must not have received:
- a PRF Seeding, Project or Tagged grant previously or
- any research grant of more than $20,000 as a named lead chief investigator or CIA (including at the time of awarding this grant)
Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest (EOI), followed by a full application for those who are shortlisted.
Applications have now closed for 2022.
Grant recipients
The PRF has awarded over $1.8 million in grants since 1990, funding research across a range of areas including respiratory conditions, incontinence, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, knee osteoarthritis and more. Some Seeding Grant recipients have successfully entered into research careers within Australian universities and internationally.
Looking to promote research?
The APA supports our members participating in evidence-based research from which the profession can draw insights. If you wish to promote your research project, you can apply via email.
To maximise awareness of your research, you may find it useful to publish a short article about your research in InMotion. InMotion has a two month lead time. Contact the editor here.
Please note that your research must have approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) registered with Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council prior to the APA promoting it.
