Overview

The Elevate to Educate Scholarship supports orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) educators and faculty pursuing advanced academic degrees to strengthen the future of the profession. By investing in educators, this program enhances training quality, supports evidence-based instruction, and ultimately improves patient outcomes.

• Award Amount: $7,500 (non-renewable; option to reapply in future cycles)
• Funding Type: Scholarship (educational support, qualified expenses only)
• Payment: Direct to institution or reimbursement with documentation

Objectives

1. Strengthen the academic and clinical preparation of O&P educators
2. Increase faculty with doctoral or advanced academic credentials
3. Advance evidence-based teaching and curriculum development
4. Improve long-term workforce quality and patient care outcomes
5. Support leadership development within O&P education

Eligibility 

Applicants must be

• A U.S. citizen 
• A Certified Orthotist, Prosthetist, and/or Orthotist/Prosthetist in good standing
• Employed at a US-based accredited (CAAHEP/NCOPE) academic Orthotics and Prosthetics Master’s Program
• O&P educator, faculty member, program director, and/or clinical instructor
• Be currently enrolled OR accepted into an advanced academic program- Doctoral (PhD, EdD, DHSc, DSc, etc.) 

Application Materials

1. Application Form

• Name, credentials, certification(s)
• Institution/employer
• Current role and teaching responsibilities
• Selected/enrolled degree program details (institution, degree type, timeline)
• Data use 
• Headshot, quote, media release

2. Personal Statement (750-1000 words)

Address the following:

• Career Journey & Commitment to Education: Describe your career trajectory in orthotics and prosthetics (O&P), with a focus on your involvement in education, training, and mentorship.
• Professional Vision & Goals: Outline your short- and long-term professional goals, including your 5-year and 10-year outlook. How do you envision your role evolving within O&P education and the broader healthcare landscape?
• Program Selection & Relevance: Explain why you have chosen this specific degree or program. How is it uniquely suited to support advancements in O&P education, training, and workforce development?
• Alignment with Career Goals: Describe how this degree will help you achieve your professional goals and expand your leadership, teaching, or research capabilities.
• Impact on Education & Patient Care: How will this training enhance your effectiveness as an O&P educator? In what ways will your development contribute to advancing O&P education, strengthening the workforce, and ultimately improving patient care and outcomes?

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

5. Letter of Support 

• Program Director, Department Chair, or Academic Supervisor

Letter should addresses the following:

• The applicant’s current role and contributions to education and training in orthotics and prosthetics 
• Your support for their continued professional and academic development 
• The anticipated impact of the proposed degree on the applicant’s effectiveness, as well as on your institution and the broader O&P community

6. Proof of Enrollment or Acceptance

• Acceptance letter OR current enrollment verification (transcript etc...)

7. Budget & Plan 

• Tuition and total program cost
• How the funds will be used for qualified educational expenses

Allowable Use of Funds 

Restricted to qualified educational expenses directly related to the recipient's enrolled academic program:

• Tuition (primary use) 
• Mandatory academic fees (e.g., registration, program fees) 
• Required books and instructional materials 
• Required course-specific supplies 

Non-Allowable Expenses

Funds may NOT be used for:

• Travel (including conferences, commuting, or lodging) 
• Living expenses (housing, food, childcare, etc.) 
• Salary support or lost wages 
• Research costs or project funding 
• Technology purchases (unless explicitly required by the program and documented) 
• Conference registration or professional development events 

Post-Award Expectations & Impact Reporting

The Elevate to Educate Scholarship is designed to support your advanced training and ensure that learning translates into meaningful improvements in orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) education, workforce development, and patient care.

• As a recipient, you are expected to maintain enrollment and good academic standing until completion of the academic program
• Submit proof of program completion 
• Apply what you learn and demonstrate its impact over time.

1. Plan Your Impact (3-6 Months Post Award)

Submit a brief plan outlining:

• What you aim to gain from your academic program 
• How you intend to apply this learning to: 
• 
  
  • Teaching methods 
  • Curriculum or training experiences 
  • Learner assessment or mentorship 
• 2–3 specific goals for implementation 

2. Show Progress (6-12 Months Post-Award)

Provide a short update on:

• What you’ve learned so far 
• Early efforts to apply that learning 
• Initial observations (e.g., student engagement, course changes) 
• Any challenges and adjustments 

3. Demonstrate Impact (12-18 Months Post-Award)

Highlight:

• Changes you’ve implemented in your educational practice 
• Early outcomes (e.g., learner performance, feedback, engagement) 
• A brief example of impact on a student, cohort, or program 

4. Final Impact Summary (At Program Completion)

Submit a final report summarizing:

• Key changes made to your teaching or program 
• Measurable or observed outcomes 
• Broader contributions to O&P education and workforce development 
• How your training enhances patient care through improved education 

Examples include:

• Implementing new evidence-based teaching strategies 
• Developing or revising curriculum or coursework 
• Improving student competency, engagement, or outcomes 
• Enhancing clinical training experiences 
• Sharing innovations with colleagues or across programs 

*Reports are designed to be brief and practical (typically 1–2 pages or equivalent), focused on real-world application, not administrative burden.

Our Commitment to You

We view this as a partnership. We may:

• Highlight your work and impact 
• Share innovations across the O&P community 
• Support broader dissemination of your contributions

Submission & Key Deadlines

Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required materials are submitted through The O&P Foundation portal by the posted deadline at 5pm (CST). 

Program Opens: June 1st 2026

Program Closes: July 15th 2026

Notifications: August/September 2026

Questions

For questions regarding the Elevate to Educate Scholarship, contact info@oandpfoundation.org or the Education Committee Chair directly at education@oandpfoundation.org.