In January, we announced our commitment to provide $1 million in OP&P scholarships over the next five years to orthotist/prosthetist, technician and pedorthist students attending a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited education program. 

As part of this effort, we are partnering with the Orthotic and Prosthetic Education and Research Foundation (OPERF) to expand our existing OPERF-run Student Achievement Award into two new scholarships, the Orthotist/Prosthetist Student Achievement Scholarship and the Orthotist/Prosthetist Student Diversity Scholarship. Up to 14 $10,000 scholarships will be awarded each year to qualifying students. March 1 marked the application deadline for these orthotist/prosthetist scholarships, and we are extremely pleased with the number of applications received. Thank you to everyone who helped us spread the word to students! 

In addition, we are also supporting new O&P Technician Student and Pedorthic Student Scholarships later this year. All of these scholarships include designated diversity scholarships created to support the academic success of racially or ethnically underrepresented student populations in the OP&P profession. We hope this much-needed financial support will help bring diverse and talented individuals into the profession. 

We have also created a Student Poster Prize program in which three prizes totaling $2,500 will be awarded to outstanding student-created posters accepted for presentation at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists’ Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium. And, in conjunction with the Academy’s meeting, we will continue to fund a Resident Travel Award for one current resident (or practitioner who has recently completed their residency) to present their Directed Study report or project. 

“We are thrilled to be able to support the future of OP&P through these scholarships and awards, including specific support for students from as many backgrounds and perspectives as possible. As our amazing profession continues to grow, so too does our voice and ability to make a difference,” said Brett Saunders, CPO, FAAOP, ABC President. Additional details about these exciting scholarship opportunities, including eligibility requirements and application deadlines are now available on our Student/Resident Scholarships & Awards page.