Empirical Research Grant for Graduate Students

About this program

The Drama Therapy Fund (DTFund) administered through NADTA offers an Empirical Research Grant to encourage graduate drama therapy students to conduct quantitative, qualitative, or mixed‑methods research. Awards of up to $500 per six‑month application cycle can fund research‑related expenses (e.g., art supplies, transcription, recording equipment, statistics support, transportation, measurement instruments) but not food, gifts, or salaries. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an approved drama therapy graduate program or have a current Alternative Training contract on file with NADTA and must submit proof of IRB approval, a detailed research proposal and budget, contact information, and a letter of support from their major professor or Board‑Certified Trainer. Applications are due January 15 and July 15 each year; grantees must provide a written project report and receipts within 30 days of project defense/completion.