NSD-PFC Grant Award for Physiotherapy Research in Neurosciences
Eligible applicants are physiotherapists conducting neuroscience-related research in Canada. The principal investigator must hold a physiotherapy degree and meet the residency or citizenship requirements: Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, or resident in Canada during the award period with a valid work or student visa. The applicant must be a member in good standing of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Neurosciences Division. Early-career researchers are preferred, especially those whose project could build toward larger-scale research. Applicants with or without recent large research grants may apply, but they must explain how the proposed project is developmental or distinct from already funded work and how it could lead to future research.
Overview
The NSD-PFC Grant Award for Physiotherapy Research in Neurosciences provides up to CAD 10,000 for research projects related to the practice of physiotherapy in neurosciences. It is offered through the Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada and the Neurosciences Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. The award supports defined research projects that develop the art and science of physiotherapy and have potential benefit for physiotherapy practice and society. Funds may support research-specific software, consumables, materials, equipment under the stated limits, field travel, research assistants or student trainees, professional advisors, and methodology or statistical assistance. The 2025 application deadline was October 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST, with notification in November and award disbursement beginning in December.
At a glance
Funding available
- Conduct research and development activities
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Eligible candidates
- All industries
- Canada
- All legal structures
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- Canadians
Next Steps
Activities funded
- Projects directly related to the practice of physiotherapy in neuroscience
- Research projects designed to further develop the art and science of physiotherapy
Documents Needed
- Cover letter
- Research project proposal
- Project Funding and Budget Information Form
- Personal data lists for principal investigators, co-investigators, and consultants
- Publications lists for principal investigators, co-investigators, and consultants
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Eligible applicants are physiotherapists conducting neuroscience-related research in Canada. The principal investigator must hold a physiotherapy degree and meet the residency or citizenship requirements: Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, or resident in Canada during the award period with a valid work or student visa. The applicant must be a member in good standing of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Neurosciences Division. Early-career researchers are preferred, especially those whose project could build toward larger-scale research. Applicants with or without recent large research grants may apply, but they must explain how the proposed project is developmental or distinct from already funded work and how it could lead to future research.
Who is not eligible
Applicants who are not physiotherapists, do not hold a physiotherapy degree, or cannot meet the CPA and Neurosciences Division membership requirements are not eligible. Projects that are not directly relevant to the practice of physiotherapy in neurosciences should not be submitted to this award. A recipient cannot receive more than one PFC grant in the same year. Research funds cannot be used to pay the investigators directing the project, and they cannot cover indirect research costs or overhead. Applicants involved with PFC or Neurosciences Division committees may apply only if they are excluded from any decision-making or disposition process connected to their own application.
Eligible expenses
- Assistants, including technical or professional assistants and student trainees
- Professional advisors
- Materials, supplies, equipment, and supplies maintenance
- Research-specific software, consumables, and equipment under $500
- Field travel and travel to collect data
- Research methodology and statistical assistance
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Remuneration of the investigators directing the project
- Indirect research costs, also known as overhead
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Scientific merit
- Budget
- Composite score based on defined criteria
- Priority in case of a tie goes to applications that optimize clinician collaboration
How to apply
- Applications must be submitted online through the EventsAir portal. For the posted cycle, applications had to be received by the Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada by October 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST. The package includes applicant and co-investigator information, the agency that will administer the funds, up to four keywords for reviewer expertise, a public proposal summary, a cover letter, a research project proposal of up to four pages, references, other funding information, required ethics or animal care certificates when applicable, the completed project funding and budget information form, and personal data lists for investigators and consultants. Applicants can submit in either official language. Notification is provided in writing in November and disbursement begins in December.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed by the Scientific Awards Committee against PFC research priorities and the criteria for the award.
- Funding is recommended to projects with the highest composite scores, subject to the award’s specific criteria.
- In the event of a tie or multiple highly rated applications, priority is given to the application that optimizes clinician collaboration.
- Applicants must sign an agreement at the time of application stating that the funds will be used exclusively for the purpose described in the proposal.
- PFC may suspend or reclaim funding in whole or in part.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted only online through EventsAir.
- Applicants may apply to multiple PFC awards, but only one grant will be awarded to the same person in a given year.
- Written reviewer opinions and recommendations can be provided to applicants upon request.
- Applications may be submitted in either official language.