A new "mini grant" project aimed supporting implementation of a self-directed and group intervention program for adults living with arthritis is now accepting applications. The grants of at least $2,000 each are available to individual physical therapists (PTs) as well as APTA state chapters. APTA is a cosponsor of the program.

The grants will be awarded to successful applicants who propose ways to implement the "Walk With Ease" (WWE) program either directly or in partnership with an external agency. Developed by the Arthritis Foundation, WWE is a community-based walking program based on group walking sessions and pre-walk discussions held multiple times per week. The initiative is a US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended physical activity program.

Grantees are expected to recruit at least 200 participants and work to ensure all participants complete 100% of the intervention by September 29, 2018, the end of the 3-month project period. Selected applicants can anticipate an average award of $2,000, although the number of awards is contingent on the availability of federal funds.

Applications will be accepted and considered for funding on a rolling basis. Final applications must be received by Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11:59 pm ET and can be downloaded from the grant announcement webpage. Interested applicants must email the completed application to nmccoy@chronicdisease.org.

APTA collaborated with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and the CDC's Division of Population Health Arthritis Program in the creation of the grants program.