Sensory Integration Education

Research Themes

Sensory Integration Education research grants are designed to support the development of evidence relating to Sensory Integration across the Lifespan: The Art and Science. All grant applications must demonstrate contribution to one or more of the following key research themes:

• Evidence From Within the Field of Neuroscience
• Assessment and Measures of SI and Sensory Processing Difficulties
• Evidence For the Treatment of Sensory Processing Difficulties:
  • Ayres' Sensory Integration Therapy
  • Sensory Strategies

We will support quality research projects that will provide robust evidence with clear relevance to service users, carers, and/or the organisation and delivery of effective services.

Where appropriate, practitioners and service users should be involved. Close collaborative working between academic and service provider organisations is also encouraged.

Grant Awards

We have the following five grant awards available at the start of each calendar year:

MSc Research Projects Grant (£5,000)

These grants will support research activity undertaken as part of a Master’s programme where the focus of the research project is on advancing sensory integration knowledge and/or aligned with the key research themes.

PhD Research Projects Grant (£5,000)

These grants are to support the research activity undertaken as part of a PhD or Doctorate programme where the focus of the research project relates to one or more of the key research themes. Alternatively, experienced researchers who may be experts in other fields and are not eligible for SI practitioner status, such as Psychology and/or Neuroscience, may apply for funding to develop their knowledge of Ayres’ SI theory and practice in order to complete a proposed research project as part of their PhD.

Small Projects/Studies Grant (£7,000)

These grants support small pilot studies and/or single case study experimental design or qualitative studies reflecting the key research themes (above) with a clinical focus. Grants may be awarded to clinicians and health practitioners as well as new researchers.

Dissemination of Research Grant (£3,000)

These grants will contribute to conference attendance where research results relating to topics aligned to sensory integration theory and practice will be disseminated. The grant can also be used for developing skills for publishing research adhering to the SI research themes.

Recruitment support

We will promote research on our online forums, publications and to our members relating to the research themes above.