Grant Writing in Occupational Therapy: Turning Ideas into Funded Initiatives

Speakers: Debra Gibbs, EdD, OTR.L, FAOTA & Angela Jackson, PhD.

Angela Jackson, PhD, is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and has dedicated 18 years to higher education administration. She holds a BA from the University of the District of Columbia, as well as an M.Ed., MBA, and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Tennessee State University. Formerly the Associate Registrar at TSU, she now serves as a Systems Analyst at Belmont University, combining her passion for technology with expertise in Oracle-based systems like DegreeWorks and Banner. Her interests lie in the intersection of technology and education, including immersive learning through VR, AR, and AI. She supports initiatives like Black Girls Code and HBCU² Everyone Can Code.

Debra Gibbs, EdD, OTR.L, FAOTA is an Associate professor in Occupational Therapy at Belmont University. She has a diverse practice background in clinical practice, program development, and outcomes management.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify at least two grant databases or websites relevant to OT practice.
2. Develop targeted keyword searches for their specific practice areas.
3. Describe how AI tools can assist in grant research and writing.

Course Description:

This workshop introduces occupational therapy practitioners and students to the fundamentals of finding and applying for grants relevant to OT practice, research, and education. Participants will learn how to efficiently search for funding opportunities (local, state, federal, and professional), craft effective keyword searches, and avoid common application pitfalls. The session will also highlight AI tools to streamline grant research and writing. By the end, attendees will have actionable strategies to identify funding sources and begin the grant-writing process with confidence.

1.0 Contact Hours; Free for members; $20 for non-members