AOTF Dr. A. Jean Ayres
Doctoral Candidate Scholarship

CLASI is proud to support the newly established Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Scholarship with a $25,000 donation!

The Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration promotes the legacy of Dr. A. Jean Ayres through innovative partnerships, scholarships and mentorship opportunities to advance knowledge in Ayres Sensory Integration®. Supporting the development of new leaders, promoting knowledge development, and disseminating evidence-based information, is critical to the delivery of high-quality care. In addition to building new evidence for practice and educating current practitioners, we must also invest in future scientists who will carry on the research legacy of Dr. Ayres.

CLASI is, therefore, proud to support the new Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Scholarship at the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. This new award, created in 2023, will provide financial aid to an occupational therapist enrolled in a PhD, ScD, EdD or DrPH program as they conduct research in sensory integration pursuant to their dissertation.  This is an incredible opportunity to strengthen and enhance ASI evidence. 

AOTF has already secured funding to award the Ayres Scholarship for 5 years, 2025-2029. Now, the Foundation is building an endowment that will ensure this scholarship can be awarded forever! The endowment goal is $125,000. To encourage our CLASI community to join in this philanthropic effort, we are providing $25,000 to match the first $25,000 dollars given by CLASI members, friends and partners! 

For your gift to qualify for the match you must make your gift before December 31, 2024. Giving Tuesday is December 3rd, and this National Day of Philanthropy is the perfect time to give and double your gift with our CLASI match. Gifts can be made online or by check, as long as it’s dated prior to December 31, 2024. All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. If you have any questions about the scholarship or making a gift, please contact Lawrence Liff, Chief Development Officer at AOTF, at lliff@aotf.org  

From all of us at CLASI, thank you for being a part of this philanthropic initiative, and thank you for supporting future scientists who are building new evidence in ASI!