Educator Awards

About the Educator Award Program

The Foundation's Educator Award Program supports O&P educators who currently hold teaching positions at O&P education institutions that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and who are pursuing advanced degrees to improve their skills as O&P instructors. Educator Awards include a $2,500 cash award that should be used to support the applicant's educational expenses. Up to one award may be given annually.  

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be employed as a faculty member at a CAAHEP-accredited O&P education program and be enrolled in an advanced academic degree program. 

Applications for Educator Awards will be reviewed by The Foundation's Education Committee (or a designated subcommitee). Selection of Educator Award recipients will be based upon the merit of the educator’s submission. Priority will be given to applicants who:

• Are graduates of CAAHEP-accredited O&P programs.

• Are pursuing research-intensive degrees.

• Are enrolled as full-time students.

• Have made demonstrable progress toward their academic goals.

• Have strong program support from the program that employs them.

• Receive strong evaluations from their advisor(s).

• Have a history of professional presentations, publications, and/or funded research.

 Educators are eligible to receive this award no more than two times. Please see the Educator Award Program Overview for full details of this award.

How to Apply

Students may apply directly for the scholarship, or a professor may nominate them. To be considered for the award, students must submit the following:

1. Complete the Educator Award application, including:

   1. • a (500 word or less) statement about how your academic goals will contribute to your excellence as a faculty member AND

      • a (500 word or less) statement about how the Educator Award will help you to attain your academic goals)

2. Obtain an official or unofficial transcript (that includes the current academic semester) from your institution

   1. •  Official transcripts are not required; however, unofficial transcripts must be signed by your academic advisor or program chair.

3. Obtain a letter of recommendation from your program chair;

   1. • This letter should describe institutional support available to you for completing your degree.

4. Obtain a letter of recommendation from your academic advisor(s);

   1. • This letter should assess your plan of study and dissertation or thesis proposal (if applicable), as well as the your qualifications for graduate study and potential for academic success.

5. Prepare your academic CV

6. Email your application materials to The Foundation at submissions@oandpfoundation.org

   1. •  The subject of your email should read "Educator Award".

Submission Details

Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials are received by The Foundation by the due dates posted deadline. Application materials must be received by 5:00pm Eastern Time on the posted deadline.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 15, 2023

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about the Educator Award, please contact please contact Manisha Bhaskar at (202) 380-3663 or info@oandpfoundation.org.