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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Impact Award

Award Definition: Recognizes OTR and COTA practitioners who have made exceptional, client-centered contributions, demonstrating dedication, hard work, and outstanding occupational therapy skills to improve their clients' life satisfaction and engagement in meaningful occupations.

    Eligibility Requirements

  • Current NBCOT certification in good standing is required for the award nominee
  • Practitioner's impact must be directly related to a recipient of OT services
  • Strong connection to the NBCOT mission must be demonstrated

    Geographic Scope

  • Not limited to United States; international work is eligible

    Award Benefits

  • Award recognition
  • Featured spotlight in NBCOT publications and social media
  • Press release to share the news
  • Free certification renewal for the next renewal cycle

    Contact Information

  • Mailing Address: One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
  • Phone: 1-301-990-7979
  • Email: info@nbcot.org
  • Website: https://www.nbcot.org/awards/impact-award

Application Status

The application submission window is currently closed. Decisions are announced in mid-summer.

How to Apply

How to Apply

1. Access the award application platform and create an account
- You can also log in using your Google username and password
2. Complete the award application
3. Attach the following required documents:
- Two written impact statements (e.g., testimonial from a client/family member/colleague)
- At least one impact statement must be a first-person account from the client or the client's family/caregiver
- Nominee's résumé (required only if self-nominating)
4. Submit the application

Note: Self-nomination or nomination by others is accepted.

Application Questions

Detailed description of how the nominee has made a positive impact through everyday OT practice to improve clients' life satisfaction and engagement in meaningful occupations:

  • This question is separate from the impact statement attachments; make sure the response is distinct and not copy/pasted from the impact statements

  • The OTR's or COTA's impact can be related to one client or many but should be significant and meaningful

  • Emphasize the OTR's or COTA's work in addition to their personality and positive attributes

    • Describe how the nominee demonstrates exceptional OT skills:

  • Highlight information about the OTR or COTA that goes beyond standard employee behavior

  • Examples of their dedication, hard work, and outstanding OT skills might include: commitment to learning and continuing education, involvement with OT-related volunteerism or community endeavors, etc.

    • Describe how the nominee supports the mission of NBCOT:

  • Make a strong connection between the OTR's or COTA's work and NBCOT's mission

    • Impact Statements

    Impact statements should:

  • Directly relate to the award definition

  • Provide specific and compelling examples about the client's life satisfaction and engagement in occupation as a result of the OTR's or COTA's work

  • Be from a client, a client's family member or caregiver, or a colleague

  • Can be submitted in any form but limited to two uploads; combine multiple statements into one file if needed

      • Submission Tips

    • Develop thoughtful responses; avoid rushing
    • Stay on track and always connect responses back to the question
    • Avoid simply restating questions in your own words
    • Include details and examples where indicated
    • Avoid broad or vague language
    • Keep responses clear and simple to understand
    • Be objective about the work
    • Consider working with the nominee (if nominating someone else) for a more detailed and well-rounded application
    • The application platform saves your work as you go; you can enter and exit multiple times
    • Use the "Collaborator" feature to invite others to view and/or edit your application
    • Complete time: less than 30 minutes (if materials are prepared in advance)
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