The Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario offers two types of scholarships and grants. One is a grant for Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) looking to pursue a Master's Degree or PhD, and the other is for underrepresented people looking to enter a massage therapy program to become an RMT.

Jump to: Master's and PhD Grant

Jump to: Scholarship for People from Underrepresented Groups

Master's and PhD Grant

The Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario (RMTAO) is pleased to offer up to four (4) grants of $1,000 each year to qualified Master’s or PhD students.

Description

The RMTAO aims to advance knowledge and understanding of massage therapy by offering funding for Master’s or PhD students in programs with research components. This grant will provide $1,000 to current or upcoming students in eligible Master’s degree or PhD programs in Canada. The grant will contribute to the profession of massage therapy by advancing the knowledge through the candidates’ research and helping financially support developing scholars in the field. Up to four (4) recipients will be chosen annually based on the criteria outlined below. The focus will be on the impact the individuals’ proposed research may have on the massage therapy profession.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:

• Be an Active or Life member of the RMTAO.
• Be enrolled in or have been accepted to a research-based graduate program in Canada.
• Intend to complete a research project that is relevant or complimentary to the massage therapy profession.

Submission Process

Applicants must submit:

• Proof of their acceptance into a research-based graduate program.
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Outline of their intended research project and how it would be relevant to the profession of massage therapy.
• A cover letter describing the candidate’s purpose for pursuing graduate studies, including an explanation for choosing their program, how the program is related to the field of massage therapy, and the candidate’s future plans.

Submissions must be sent electronically to info@rmtao.com. The deadline to submit an application is June 30, 2025. The grants will be awarded in September 2025.

Scholarship for People from Underrepresented Groups

The Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario (RMTAO) is pleased to offer a scholarship of $1,000 each year, aimed at supporting underrepresented groups in entering the massage therapy profession. This scholarship intends to empower these individuals to be successful as future RMTs as well as increase the diversity of the massage therapy profession.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:

• Be accepted into a massage therapy program at any private or public post-secondary institution in Ontario.
• Be part of an underrepresented group which include but are not limited to Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups and members of LGBTQ2+ communities.
• Have formally committed to attending a massage therapy program for at least the semester following the application deadline.

Submission Process

Applicants must submit:

• Current curriculum vitae.
• Proof of their acceptance into a massage therapy program in Ontario.
• Identification with any underrepresented group.
• Two letters of recommendation outlining how long they have known the applicant and in what capacity, why they believe the candidate will succeed in a massage therapy program, and any other information about the applicant they think should be taken into consideration. Letters of Recommendation can be from academic or professional contacts.
• Answers to the questions below (no more than 250 words per answer)

1. Why should you be chosen to receive this scholarship?
2. Why are you interested in becoming a Registered Massage Therapist?
3. Describe your personal and educational background.
4. Is there anything else you would like us to know when considering your application?

Submissions must be sent electronically to info@rmtao.com. The deadline to submit an application is June 30, 2025. The grants will be awarded in September 2025.