ZVK Stiftung zur Förderung von Forschung und Evaluation in der Physiotherapie

The ZVK Foundation was established in December 2004 by the German Association for Physiotherapy (ZVK) and the Physio Academy. Both founders provided the initial capital equally. The non-profit foundation also receives financial resources from the regional associations of the ZVK, which increase the capital annually by one euro per member, as well as from donations and capital income. The foundation supports research and evaluation projects in physiotherapy in the German-speaking region that are still in the planning stage and are led or significantly accompanied by physiotherapists. The ongoing administrative costs are borne by the foundation’s founders. Since then, funding has been gradually provided (initially €5,000 in 2006, currently up to €15,000 per call) to strengthen young researchers and the evidence base of the profession.

The ZVK Foundation aims to advance the scientific foundation of physiotherapy in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland by financially supporting research and evaluation projects conducted by physiotherapists. This is intended to strengthen evidence-based practice, promote the professionalization of the occupation, and intensify the transfer of knowledge between research and practice.

Research and evaluation projects in the field of physiotherapy are funded, provided they are still in the planning or early implementation phase and are conducted in German-speaking countries. The projects must be led or significantly supervised by physiotherapists. Bachelor's and master's theses as well as projects that have already received study awards are excluded.