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Congress Grants Programme

Join us in elevating the impact and standards of occupational therapy around the world by supporting delegates to attend the WFOT Congress in Bangkok, Thailand in February 2026.

Occupational therapists often face significant barriers to accessing high-quality professional development and global networking opportunities, limiting their ability to advance the profession and improve public health outcomes.

By empowering individual therapists to participate in this landmark event, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond personal growth. Each delegate returns home equipped with fresh insights, global connections, and renewed inspiration to strengthen local practice, uplift communities, and champion the future of occupational therapy in their country. Supporting attendance is an investment with enduring impact—on individuals, the profession, and populations worldwide.

At previous Congresses, the grants programme has provided life-changing opportunities, enabling recipients to share expertise, engage in global conversations, and bring transformative knowledge back to their local communities. This immersive, face-to-face experience fosters deeper engagement, richer collaboration, and meaningful personal connections that define the true spirit of global professional unity.

The WFOT Congress enabled me to reconnect to old peers and meet new amazing occupational therapists around the world. It is one of the first in-person global event of occupational therapists after the pandemic so it was really an overwhelming and positive experience for me personally and professionally. I am very grateful to be able to share a few of my studies and works with local Filipino occupational therapists and other collaborators. This was a critical event since occupational therapy in the Philippines is still growing and it was nice how others were very interested on it, validating our efforts and eagerness to contribute to its growth.
Charlie Rod Delos Reyes
Charlie Rod Delos ReyesPhilippines
Representing my national association and profession at the WFOT event was an incredible opportunity. It allowed me to promote and raise awareness of our work on a global stage while expanding my own knowledge and professional network. Participating fully in the council meeting and congress was invaluable, as was visiting the exhibition, where I explored a range of rehabilitation innovations. I was also honoured to present my abstract to an international audience.
Epiphanie Murebwayire
Epiphanie MurebwayireRwanda
The WFOT Congress provided me with the opportunity to meet and learn from OTs who live in different countries. This meant that I could learn how therapists work in resource-constrained, country/government funded healthcare and private settings. It gave me new ideas and exposure to the extensive scope of occupational therapy. There were also many interesting talks on the role of the occupational therapist in disaster management and the impact of emergencies on rehabilitation services, particularly in contexts where there was war, terrorist-attacks, and natural disasters. In South Africa, we do not have many therapists who work in the disaster management setting, so this was particularly insightful to me.
Michelle Uys
Michelle UysSouth Africa

The aims of the programme are to:

  • raise funds to support the attendance of delegates in low / middle income countries
  • ensure that successful applicants demonstrate a commitment to professional leadership through disseminating the learning on returning home; this may be in an association, academic, research or clinical context
  • focus on providing access to as many delegates as possible from low / middle income countries.

Full grants will include a full Congress registration, including the welcome reception, and support towards travel and accommodation costs. Other grants may be provided to give assistance towards Congress costs.

How can you contribute?

  1. Congress Registration Process – When you complete a registration form to attend the Congress, there will be an option to contribute your preferred amount to the Grants Programme.
  2. Contribute directly – please contact the Congress Office to organise a direct contribution.
*Please note all contributions are made in USD $

How to apply for a Grant

  • Describe the professional benefits you anticipate gaining personally by attending the Congress.
  • Describe how your participation at the Congress can positively affect the practice or organisation you work for.
  • Describe the knowledge you are hoping to gain and how this will impact your local community.
  • Outline your plan for how you will share what you learn at the Congress with local colleagues.
  • If you hold a leadership role within your association or place of work/study, please describe how Congress attendance will benefit your role.

Closing Date: Wednesday 9th July, 2025
Notification Date: Wednesday 24th September 2025

Apply Now
View Selection Criteria