Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellowship Grant

Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Last Updated: February 07, 2026

Summary

The Occupational Therapy Neurological Fellowship at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a 12-month program designed to develop leaders in occupational therapy. Participants will engage in evidence-based practice and community-focused rehabilitation, supported by structured mentorship and opportunities for individualized learning. Graduates will be equipped to advocate for clients and pursue board certification in Physical Rehabilitation, contributing to advancements in neurorehabilitation through collaborative, research-informed practices.

Overview

Occupational Therapy Neurological Fellowship The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Neurological Fellowship Program encompasses innovative and research informed rehabilitation and positions occupational therapists as advocates for consumers to achieve ability in the community The mission of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Neurological Fellowship Program is to prepare occupational therapy practitioners to become leaders and advocates in the profession. We are committed to developing advocates for occupational therapy and leaders through research informed, collaborative, and community-engaged practice. Advancing Human Ability by creating tomorrow’s community engaged practice. Our philosophy is that occupational therapy practitioners can successfully integrate both community engaged and evidence-informed practice in order to achieve true excellence in patient care through interprofessional collaboration as leaders in neurorehabilitation. Through this fellowship, we will provide opportunities for synthesis and supported application of advanced practice for each core element of the program through active learning. Core Elements of the Fellowship The program is rooted in the following core elements that guide the curriculum, training and mentoring: Research-Informed PracticeSystems-Based Approach to CareCollaborative Interprofessional PracticeStrong Professional IdentityLeadership in Clinical Practice Program Highlights 12-month program with encouraged employment before the fellowship begins to complete hospital orientation and additional opportunities for employment after the fellowship.Position is salaried and fellow will qualify for full-time benefits offered to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab employees.Program includes structured clinical mentorship in evidence-based practice and translational research. Fellows will work with rehabilitation, academic and research experts as part of clinical experiences in Inpatient neurorehabilitation and DayRehab clinics.Fellows will work directly with expert clinicians working in specialty practice therapy labs. These will vary based on the specialty track the fellows are participating in and may include the areas of functional cognition, vision & perception, upper extremity rehabilitation, wheelchair skills, pain management and assistive technology.Fellows will have the opportunity to identify individual, professional goals to enhance the fellowship curriculum to customize their professional development.  Fellows will have opportunities to work with community organizations as a learner, instructor and collaborator. Graduating fellows will be eligible to apply for their Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Clinical Mentoring & Professional Development Fellows within the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellowship will work closely with expert mentors in neurorehabilitation with over 300 hours of 1:1 mentoring included as part of the Fellowship program. The Fellowship mentors are committed to the success and learning of each participant in the program. In addition to advanced clinical training, fellows work closely with a professional development mentor to enhance their professional development. In collaboration with top academic programs across Chicago, fellows have the opportunity to explore program development, teaching and research—broadening their skills and advancing their growth as leaders in occupational therapy. Throughout the fellowship, fellows will work on developing a project or initiative that builds on their self-identified professional goals. Clinical Rotations and Curriculum A core part of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellowship is the unique rotations offered through different clinical areas that are focused on the treatment of patients with neurological diagnoses. Fellows will work with patients receiving care throughout the continuum of care provided at Shirley Ryan Abilitylab – including Inpatient floors and DayRehab clinics – as well as within selected Therapy Labs, which provide advanced training in clinical skills necessary for treating the neurological patient population. Within each rotation, expert mentors turn learning into doing. Fellows will translate didactic knowledge into hands-on experiences that build confidence, deepen insight, and grow clinical expertise.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.