Association Awards
Occupational Therapy Australia has an awards program incorporating student awards, national awards, trustee prizes, and divisional awards. Browse to learn more about our current, upcoming and past Association Award opportunities.
Open Awards
OTA Oration
Occupational Therapy Australia Oration
This accolade aims to honour and showcase an occupational therapist who has made outstanding, innovative, and impactful contribution to the clinical practice of occupational therapy.
OTARF DGR
OTA Research Foundation Direct Gift Recipient Grants
The OTA Research Foundation (OTARF) grants scheme stimulates new research knowledge and supports the career development and capacity of researchers.
OT School of Victoria Clinical Award
4+ Year Experience
The award aims to promote advancement in clinical practice by supporting members of OTA to engage in clinical based projects or studies.
Judith Marsham Farrell Research Grant
5+ Years of Experience
The purpose of the Judith Marsham Farrell Research Grant is to support “research in occupational therapy by occupational therapists and in particular studies in which the study subjects themselves to perform occupation embedded activity to determine its influence on a stated human health condition.”
Closed Awards
Elspeth Pearson Award
Student and Early Career (0-3 Years)
The Elspeth Pearson Award enables award recipients to advance their clinical skills and expertise through access to professional development opportunities. This award has been made possible through the generosity of Elspeth Pearson's family and the Elspeth Pearson Estate. This fund enables recently qualified occupational therapists (qualified for up to 3 years) and final year occupational therapy students to broaden their education and experience within the profession. This award previously ran annually, however, this year will be the last year it is run. In 2024-2025, there is up to $7,000 available for distribution. Multiple applicants may be chosen for receipt of this award.
Clinical Researcher Award
All Members
This award is one category of OTA's Research Awards, which acknowledge a member’s contribution towards the advancement of the research base of occupational therapy in four categories: early career researcher, mid career researcher, clinical researcher, and research team. This category refers to research undertaken by an occupational therapist who holds a substantive clinical position. Frequency: Biennial. Prize: $500 and framed certificate.
Early Career Researcher Award
Academic Researchers
This category refers to research conducted by an occupational therapist prior to completion of their PhD or up to a maximum of four years’ academic research experience following the completion of their PhD, or be of equivalent professional standing.
Mid Career Researcher Award
Mid Career (5-10 years)
This award is one category of OTA's Research Awards, which acknowledge a member’s contribution towards the advancement of the research base of occupational therapy in four categories: early career researcher, mid career researcher, clinical researcher, and research team. This category refers to research conducted by an occupational therapist 5-10 years from the award of their PhD or with equivalent professional standing. Frequency: Biennial. Prize: $500 and framed certificate.
Research Team Award
OT Led Research Teams
This award is one category of OTA's Research Awards, which acknowledge a member’s contribution towards the advancement of the research base of occupational therapy in four categories: early career researcher, mid career researcher, clinical researcher, and research team.
