• Second year students enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program are eligible. Applicants must be enrolled throughout the scholarship year (January 2026 – December 2026).
• Applicants must submit a resume that lists all applicable education, service, and leadership experiences.
• Applicants must provide the contact information for two professional references.
• Within your application, you should reflect on your time in the Greater Birmingham area to suggest one potential project idea and one potential community partner to support your idea.

Prospective Scholars should be prepared to collaboratively design a sustainable community project in partnership with a local community agency or organization within the Greater Birmingham area. The initiative runs from October 2025 through December 2026 and requires an average commitment of 3-4 hours per week.

The project should seek to provide services within the community that are intended to improve population health outcomes. Scholars are encouraged to leverage the skill set of a physical therapist but should know that future sustainability may not always require a licensed physical therapist.

A faculty mentor will be provided to help guide the direction of your community findings, narrow the scope of your ideas, and support local networking.

Orientation: Starting in the fall semester prior to the start of the scholarship initiative, scholars must complete instructional materials that introduce performing community needs assessments. Completion of this is required.

Community Project: Working in partnership with a local community agency or organization in the Greater Birmingham area, scholars will collaboratively create a sustainable community program that is intended to improve population health outcomes.

The developed program should be in alignment with identified community needs of the region and aim to support service-learning initiatives of the physical therapy department.

Mentor Meetings: Regularly scheduled meetings with a mentor will aid in leadership development, provide refining of community outreach skills, and allow for reflections on progress, including assistance in overcoming barriers. Some meetings will provide an opportunity to network and share ideas and resources with other scholars.

Reports and Evaluation: Scholars must submit monthly reports and reflections. These submissions should detail their progress toward a sustainable community program. Scholars will be evaluated on the feasibility and long-term sustainability of their program.

Stipend: Scholars are eligible to receive a scholarship of up to $3,000. Additional fundings of up to $1,000 is available to support project-related expenses.

Project Presentation: Scholars will deliver a presentation of their community project, including the phases of program development and the final product, at the conclusion of the initiative.

Sustainability: In some circumstances, a community project may not reach full completion or a level of ideal sustainability by the end of the scholarship initiative period. In this case, scholars may be responsible for assisting an upcoming class of scholars in the continuation or advancement of their project.

The UAB Foster Scholars Initiative is a mentored initiative for second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students at UAB. Established in 2025 through the generosity of Steve and Jana Foster, the scholarship supports students in developing sustainable community programs that promote positive population health outcomes across Alabama.

Applicants must be second-year students currently enrolled in UAB’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Students must remain enrolled throughout the duration of the initiative, from January 2026 through December 2026.

Scholars should expect to dedicate an average of 3–4 hours per week to initiative activities between October 2025 and December 2026.

Scholars are expected to:

• Complete a required orientation on community needs assessment
• Design and implement a sustainable community project in partnership with a local agency
• Attend regular meetings with a faculty mentor
• Submit monthly reports and reflections
• Present their project at the end of the year

Projects should aim to improve population health outcomes and be based on identified needs within the Greater Birmingham area. While Scholars are encouraged to leverage their knowledge as future physical therapists, projects should be designed with long-term sustainability in mind—even beyond the involvement of a licensed physical therapist.

Applicants must submit:

• A resume highlighting relevant education, service, and leadership experience
• Contact information for two professional references
• A brief proposal that includes one potential project idea and a suggested community partner

Yes. Each Scholar is paired with a faculty mentor who provides guidance, helps narrow the project scope, facilitates connections, and supports leadership and outreach development.

Scholars who complete the initiative join an exclusive alumni network. This network fosters continued collaboration, connection, and the exchange of ideas and resources among Scholars.

In cases where a project is not fully completed or sustainable by the end of the year, Scholars may be asked to assist the next cohort in continuing or expanding the initiative.