The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) has officially announced the Nancy Talbot Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026, honoring Nancy Talbot, MEd, OTR, FAOTA. This prestigious fellowship is designed to strengthen the occupational therapy field by supporting early-career postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented backgrounds.
For those committed to advancing occupational therapy and contributing diverse perspectives to health-related sciences, this is a golden opportunity. Let’s walk through the benefits, who can apply, and the timeline to keep in mind.
Scholarship Award Package
Selected fellows will receive a one-year award of $30,000 to support postdoctoral training and research. Notably, the award also offers the possibility of a competitive renewal for a second year, giving researchers more time to develop their projects and academic careers.
The fellowship’s primary aim is to increase diversity in the occupational therapy workforce by supporting researchers from racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in biomedical and health sciences. With this support, fellows can focus on addressing complex challenges and driving meaningful change in their field.
Who Can Apply – Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Nancy Talbot Fellowship, applicants must:
- Belong to an underrepresented group in biomedical research, including Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or LatinX, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or other Pacific Islanders.
- Hold an OT degree and a doctorate in OT or another field (PhD, OTD, DrOT, ScD). Applicants with non-OT doctorates must carry out their postdoctoral training in an OT department.
- Have a mentor with expertise in the proposed area of research.
- Secure IRB approval (or have it in process) for their research study at the time of application.
- Conduct their research at a U.S. academic institution.
- Be a U.S. citizen or hold appropriate residence/visa documentation.
Key Dates and Timeline
- Application Opens: January 5, 2026
- Application Deadline: February 20, 2026
Applicants should note that new application materials and instructions will be released in Fall 2025, so staying updated with AOTF announcements is essential.
Apply: https://www.aotf.org/Grants/Nancy-Talbot-Postdoctoral-Research-Fellowship.