Research Grant Application
One aspect of the mission of the Foundation is to fund solid research studies investigating the beneficial applications of massage therapy.
The Massage Therapy Foundation now offers two types of research grants: Research Support Grants (up to $30,000) and Research Awards (over $30,000).
Massage Therapy Foundation research grants are awarded to individuals or teams conducting studies that promise to advance our understanding of specific therapeutic applications of massage, public perceptions of and attitudes toward massage therapy, and the role of massage therapy in health care delivery.
MTF research grants support high quality, independent research that contributes to the basic science of massage therapy application, including applied research investigating massage therapy as a health/mental health treatment and/or prevention modality. The research grant is available to investigators who have experience in the relevant field of research, and are presently associated with a university, independent research organization, or other institution qualified to act as Sponsoring Organization.
MTF Research Support Grant (up to $30,000)
- 2025 Application process is now OPEN: deadline is February 1, 2025
- The maximum award is $30,000 for a one-year project period.
View the Research Support Grant Guidelines >>
View the Research Support Grant Application Instructions >>
View the Research Award/Support Grant Ethics Review >>
Enter Grant Portal
MTF Research Award (over $30,000)
- The 2025 application process is now OPEN: Deadline for LOI is March 1, 2025
- Amount awarded is between $30,000 to $300,000 and must be used in the specific time period for which it has been awarded (can be used over the course of multiple years).
View the 2025 Pre-Proposal Guidelines >>
View the 2025 Research Award Guidelines >>
View the 2025 Research Award/Support Grant Application Instructions >>
View the Research Award/Support Grant Ethics Review >>
Enter Grant Portal
“The MTF grant is helping me to advance my research aimed at developing effective and innovative strategies to assist caregivers to reduce their stress and enhance their own well-being as they manage the many challenges associated with caring for a loved one who has a serious medical condition. With the help of this grant, our research team collected critical data needed to inform the implementation and adaptation of a massage therapy intervention for caregivers in hospital settings. We plan to use this preliminary data to support a larger federal grant application that will enable us to conduct a larger intervention trial.”
– Natalie Williams, PhD
2015 MTF Research Grant Award Winner
“I believe in the power of massage and its impact on health and wellness. Receiving this grant has helped me to introduce research to the next generation of researchers: students. This powerful experience has allowed them to grow and gain an understanding they didn’t have before. The MTF has provided me with an invaluable opportunity. To have funding available for massage is an incredible gift. I am so thankful for the efforts and work of the Foundation.”
– Mark Blegen
2012 MTF Research Grant Award Winner
For additional information, please contact:
Annie LaCroix, Program Manager, at alacroix@massagetherapyfoundation.org or 847-869-5019