General Scholarship Application

GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Applicants are eligible for only one scholarship in any given year.

1. Purpose
   1.1 DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS - (2 x $3,000) Awarded on an annual basis to an individual enrolled in full-time or part-time Doctoral studies in an area related to occupational therapy.
   
   1.2 MASTER'S SCHOLARSHIPS - (2 x $1,500) Awarded on an annual basis to an individual enrolled in full-time or part-time Master's studies in areas related to occupational therapy.
   
   1.3 GOLDWIN W. HOWLAND SCHOLARSHIP - ($2,000) This scholarship is given by the profession in appreciation of Dr. Howland's leadership and vision, and is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated these qualities within the profession of occupational therapy and is enrolled in full-time studies.
   
   1.4 THELMA CARDWELL SCHOLARSHIP - ($2,000) This scholarship acknowledges Dr. Cardwell's outstanding contribution to occupational therapy, and is awarded to an individual enrolled in full-time studies who has demonstrated significant involvement and leadership in this field.
   
   
2. General policy
   2.1 COTF has limited funds available for awardss and cannot fund every worthy application it receives. Consequently, COTF strives to ensure that its awards are awarded as equitably as possible for the benefit of the maximum number of people.
   
   2.2 COTF recognizes that individuals applying for scholarships and research grants may apply to other funding sources for the same activity or project. If received, this funding may be complementary to COTF awards or it may overlap. COTF reserves the right to proceed with or withdraw funding based on the perceived overlap with funding from other sources.
   
   2.3 COTF further recognizes that some applicants may be recommended for funding in two or more COTF competitions during a calendar year. COTF reserves the right to determine that those individuals shall receive no more than one COTF award annually.
   
   
3. Eligibility
   3.1 Applicants must be a CAOT individual, life or student member in good standing.
   
   3.2 Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time university research-oriented program leading to a graduate degree relevant to the practice of occupational therapy in Canada. Applicants enrolled in a university program outside Canada should indicate their intention to return to practice and/or take up an academic appointment in Canada. Students enrolled in a qualifying year are ineligible.
   
   
4. Benefits
   4.1 The Scholarship is intended to support an individual pursuing graduate studies and as such may be used at the recipient's discretion to offset the costs of fees, books, supplies, etc.
   
   4.2 The award will normally be given only once during a specific course of study.
   
   4.3 The award will be given out in one payment directly to the successful candidate and a T4-A supplementary income tax slip will be issued
   
   
5. Documentation
   Applicants must provide ten (10) collated and completed copies of the application form and ten (10) collated and completed copies of all materials listed in sections 5.1 - 5.6.
   
   5.1 Proof of program enrolment for the period of the award - (photocopy accepted).
   
   5.2 One (1) original and ten (10) copies of post-secondary transcripts - (photocopy accepted) - include graduate courses to date if available.
   
   5.3 A letter of intent that gives a description of, and rationale for, the proposed or ongoing thesis research. Discuss its purpose and objectives and give evidence of the relevance of the program to occupational therapy. Summarize the key components of proposed research methods. Cite a few key literature references to demonstrate the need and importance of the research. Cite peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations or other evidence for the applicant's interest or involvement in the research area. Applicants should describe their career goals following completion of their studies. (Maximum: two (2) pages of text and one (1) page of references; single-spaced; 12-point font; Times New Roman preferred)
   
   5.4 Curriculum vitae
   
   5.5 Two references that will provide statements of support for academic objectives and appraisal of candidate's ability to do graduate work (see attached Referee Form). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that both referee forms are included in the package mailed to COTF in separate sealed envelopes. The referee must use the attached COTF Referee Form. it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the referees have the COTF Referee Form to use.
   
   5.6 A photocopy of CAOT membership card.
   
   
6. Responsibilities
   6.1 Any student who withdraws from the program of study will be required to return a minimum of half the amount of the funding received.
   
   6.2 The term of the award is the current academic year (beginning Sept.1). At the end of the award term, the recipient must provide evidence of successful completion and a brief description of the research suggesting potential benefits of this study. See Scholarship Report in the Reporting Forms section.
   
   6.3 The award itself is in support of the program of study. For this reason, support from COTF must be acknowledged on any reports, theses, presentations or publications arising as a result of the program of study.
   
   6.4 If selected to receive a scholarship, the recipient must provide a brief report which includes a photograph (if available), short biography and abbreviated description of the program of study in plain language (no more than 150 words) for publicity purposes. See Award Recipient Project Profile in the Reporting Forms section. Cheques will be mailed to recipients following receipt of this report.
   
   
7. Deadline
   7.1 THE ANNUAL DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 30th. When September 30 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline will be the following Monday, by 17h. The review process is 12 - 16 weeks in duration.
   
   7.2 Applications must be complete. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
   
   
8. Procedures
   8.1 Ten (10) collated and completed copies of the application form and required materials must be submitted to:
   Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation
   CTTC Building, Suite 3401
   1125 Colonel By Drive
   Ottawa ON K1S 5R1
   
   8.2 At the direction of the Research and Scholarship Review Committee, the completed application will be sent for external review.

REVIEWER CRITERIA

Reviewers will assess the following when reviewing applications:

1. Applicability Applicability of the applicant's program of study to theory development in occupational therapy. Does the proposed program of study prepare the applicant to better contribute to occupational therapy theory?
2. Relevance Relevance of future career plans to the development of occupational therapy's knowledge base. Does the applicant express plans to contribute directly to theory, research or scholarship in occupational therapy?
3. Potential/prior contribution to occupational therapy. Does the applicant's resume indicate that he/she has already demonstrated a willingness, ability and commitment to contribute to occupational therapy?
4. Clarity of purpose and expression: Is the statement of intent clearly and cogently presented? Does it demonstrate an aptitude for written expression?
5. Academic record: Please evaluate the attached transcripts, giving more weight to more recent academic work.
6. Letters of recommendation: Please evaluate the strength of the letters of recommendation.
7. Reviewers' recommendation:
   Please select one number to represent your overall rating of this candidate in terms of recommendation for a scholarship.
   1 - Highly Recommend Funding
   2 - Definitely Recommend Funding
   3 - Recommend Funding
   4 - Do Not Fund
   5 - Definitely Do Not Fund

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Click here to download an application form in Microsoft Word format

SCHOLARSHIP RECOMMENDATION FORM

Click here to download the recommendation form in Microsoft Word format