OPEN: MTF 2027 Research Grant LOIs accepted; controlling first-stage deadline January 13, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Invited full proposals due July 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
National and International — Massage Therapy Foundation 2027 Research Grants ($30,000–$300,000; LOI January 13, 2027)
FundingGreater than $30,000 and up to $300,000 per eligible sponsoring organization for projects up to 3 years. Total 2027 funding pool not published. Separate from MTF Research Support Award of up to $30,000.
DeadlineLOI January 13, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. CST, per controlling 2027 Research Grant Guidelines. Invited full application deadline July 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Invitation notice by May 1, 2027.
Last verified2026-11-01
Required next actionConfirm qualified institutional Sponsoring Organization, experienced PI, sufficient facilities/IRB support, no ongoing MTF PI grant or prohibited related-party conflict, and meaningful participation by massage therapists. Prepare LOI: one-page structured abstract (400 words), 1-page specific aims, 3-page research preproposal, references, project budget and justification, personnel biosketches, letters of support and ethics/AI disclosures as applicable. Submit via MTF application portal by January 13, 2027, 11:59 p.m. CST. If invited, full proposal due July 15.
Broad Eligibility
Award made to one Sponsoring Organization (university, independent research institution, health center or equivalent), not individuals. Eligible research investigators affiliated with qualified institutions including international applicants when USD institutional receipt possible. Current MTF-funded PIs, disqualifying insider relationships excluded; mentoring for new PIs. Strong direct relevance to massage therapy and substantial therapist involvement essential; institutional facilities, participant access, ethics resources and letters of support required.
Atlas Analysis
Source-verified November 1, 2026 against 2027 Research Grant Guidelines https://massagetherapyfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2027-Research-Grant-Guidelines-9.1.2026.pdf (8 pages) and LOI Instructions https://massagetherapyfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2027-Research-Grant-LOI-Application-Instructions.pdf (6 pages) and MTF program page https://massagetherapyfoundation.org/grants-awards-contests/research-grants/. Award $30,000+ to $300,000 in up to three years to single research sponsor; international USD okay; substantive LOI by Jan 13, 2027 11:59pm CST; invited full July 15, 2027 11:59pm CST. Verified budget allowability/exclusions incl no overhead/indirect costs, quarterly reimbursement conditions, research ethics, eligible sponsorship and prohibited PI conflicts. No match requirement or pool published. Applicant financial assistance, not procurement. Distinct track from <=$30k MTF Research Support Award.
Massage Therapy Foundation — 2027 Research Grant Competition
The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) is accepting 2027 Research Grant Letters of Intent for basic, applied and translational research that strengthens the evidence for massage therapy practice, including massage as a health, mental health, wellness, prevention, or treatment intervention. The controlling 2027 grant guidelines set a January 13, 2027, 11:59 p.m. CST LOI deadline. Only invited applicants may submit a full proposal, due July 15, 2027, 11:59 p.m. CST.
Individual institutional award: Over $30,000 and up to $300,000, for research periods of up to three years. The issuer does not publish a minimum above $30,000 or a total available 2027 pool. This competition is separate from MTF’s 2027 Research Support Award of up to $30,000, which does not require an LOI.
Eligibility and research requirements
Funds go to one eligible Sponsoring Organization rather than an individual researcher. Sponsors may include universities, independent research institutes, health centers and other qualifying research-capable institutions, with the investigator experienced in relevant research and committed institutional support, participant access and ethics review resources. International applicants are eligible if the sponsoring institution can receive awards in U.S. dollars. Investigators already serving as PI on a currently MTF-funded study and organizations with disqualifying insider relationships cannot receive this award. Newer investigators should document an experienced mentor. Applications must meaningfully engage trained massage therapists in their research process.
Allowable costs and grant conditions
Research grants may support salary and stipends, participant costs, approved equipment/supplies, analysis, travel and dissemination. The application instructions bar overhead/indirect costs, routine rent and utilities, pre-award costs, standard computer purchases, personal childcare, contingencies, entertainment and specified other costs. Dissemination budgets normally cannot exceed $5,000 annually unless the approved budget provides otherwise. The foundation publishes no mandatory match percentage. Sponsored institutional payments follow eligible incurred expenses and quarterly scientific and financial reporting, with unused grant funds returned. Appropriate IRB or IACUC approval must be on file before payment; the LOI requires confirmation of access to review resources.
How to apply
Submit an LOI using the MTF official online grant portal with its required abstract (one page, 400 words), specific aims (one page), research-plan preproposal (up to three pages), references, budget and justification, key personnel materials, institutional support, and other required evidence. Applicants selected to advance will be notified by May 1 and submit an invited full application by July 15. Review the controlling 2027 Research Grant Guidelines and the LOI instructions; adhere to MTF’s AI disclosure rules and ethics protections. Official documents reviewed November 1, 2026.
Source verificationReferenced source · massagetherapyfoundation.orgAtlas last verified this record 2026-11-01. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
