2026 Calendar Year

Cross-Disciplinary Ambassador Travel Grant

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Purpose

Offer financial assistance to Academy members who have been accepted to present at interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary conferences. The objective is to enhance awareness and visibility of the science and benefits related to pelvic and abdominal health physical therapy, with the overarching aim of elevating the value of this specialty and stimulating cross-disciplinary collaboration between pelvic health physical therapy and other healthcare disciplines.

Award Amount

There shall be two (2) award cycles in the calendar year. Per each award cycle, up to $2,500 in award funding will be awarded either in full to the top applicant or divided among top-ranked, selected recipients. The scholarship may cover a range of expenses associated with conference attendance, including travel, lodging, per diem, and conference registration that is not already sponsored by a source outside of the Academy. If a recipient is not selected in a given application round, the unutilized funding may be carried over to the subsequent round(s) for potential future awards. Reimbursement to the award recipient will occur after the successful submission of the post-conference report and the expense reimbursement report form with accompanying receipts. 

Funding Availability & Allocation Disclaimer

Funding for all Academy scholarships, awards, and community giveback programs is determined and allocated annually by the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Board of Directors. Continuation, modification, suspension, or termination of these programs remains at the sole discretion of the Board and is reviewed each year as part of the Academy’s annual budget process.

Award Timeline

Award Cycle #1

  • For presentations occurring between January 1-June 30, 2026
  • Application deadline: January 1, 2026
  • Award notice date: February 1, 2026

Award Cycle #2

  • For presentations occurring between July 1-December 31, 2026
  • Application deadline: July 1, 2026
  • Award notice date: August 1, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must be a currently active member of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

  • You must have been accepted to present at one of the following upcoming or past conferences (must have attended within the past 6 months of the award date):

    • Acceptable examples:

      • ACOG, AUGS, IPPS, IUGA, ICS, ISSWSH

      • If there is another association conference that is not listed above that you think is a suitable fit, it must meet the following criteria:

        • Be hosted by a professional association

        • Be open to a diverse range of practitioners

        • Be related to the field of pelvic and pregnancy health

    • Not acceptable:

      • APTA Combined Sections Meeting

      • APTA Academy or Section Conference

      • APTA Chapter Conference

  • You have to be physically present for your presentation at the respective conference to maximize interaction

Application & Selection Process

Members will apply via the application website. Staff will verify eligibility before sending it to the designated review committee. The committee shall review all applications and rank recommendations in a final report to the Board of Directors using the provided grading rubric. Recipients will be chosen based on the impact and innovation, as well as multi- or interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement within the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. The Board will review the committee recommendations and make final decisions on the awardees. 

Award Recipient Expectations and Requirements

For an Upcoming Conference

 Before the conference:

  • The award recipient is responsible for making their respective registration, travel, and lodging arrangements.   

 During the conference:

  • Deliver a high-quality presentation (e.g., research presentation) that reflects positively on the pelvic and abdominal health physical therapy profession.

  • If allowed by the conference organization, the recipient is encouraged to display the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy logo on their presentation’s acknowledgements slide. If not permitted, the recipient must include a disclaimer noting funding from the Academy. In oral presentations, it is standard to list financial disclosures. 

  • Act as an ambassador for the Academy during the conference, actively engaging with other professionals, and promoting the Academy's mission and the pelvic and abdominal health physical therapy profession.

   After the conference:

  • Post-Conference Report: Submit a post-conference report that includes any key takeaways from the conference and suggestions for future collaboration with the professions represented at the conference, including any potential contacts (e.g., prospective research partners, grant funders, potential speakers the Academy should consider).

  • Experience Sharing: Experience-sharing with the membership will be facilitated through a platform or mode of sharing chosen and agreed upon by the awardee and APHPT. The options for delivering the experience-sharing content will be specified in the award notification and determined in consultation with the awardee and the Academy prior to conference attendance. Examples of experience-sharing methods with the membership include, but are not limited to, a written article (minimum 400 words) with accompanying conference photos (e.g., detailing your presentation and your overall conference experience), a webinar for the membership, or a journal club.

  • Expense Report: After successfully submitting the post-conference report, the awardee shall submit an expense report form with all accompanying receipts via the form provided in the award notice e-mail. Failure to complete the stipulated requirements will result in forfeiture of reimbursement.

For a Past Conference

After the conference:

  • Post-Conference Report: Submit a post-conference report that includes any key takeaways from the conference and suggestions for future collaboration with the professions represented at the conference, including any potential contacts (e.g., prospective research partners, grant funders, potential speakers the Academy should consider).

  • Experience Sharing: Experience-sharing with the membership. Examples of experience-sharing methods with the membership include, but are not limited to, a written article (minimum 400 words) with accompanying conference photos (e.g., detailing your presentation and your overall conference experience), a webinar for the membership, or a journal club.

  • Expense Report: After successfully submitting the post-conference report, the awardee shall submit an expense report form with all accompanying receipts via the form provided in the award notice e-mail. Failure to complete the stipulated requirements will result in forfeiture of reimbursement.

Application 

Please review the component of the application by clicking below.

Complete Application