The priorities listed below are those that will have the highest potential impact on  Athletic Training profession.  By defining research needs in a diverse field, the NATA Research and Education Foundation expects to maximize efficient and effective use of its financial resources.

The order of grant priorities bears no significance to their relative potential to meet the NATA Foundation’s goals.
The priorities are as follows:

• Studies examining the effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness of care provided by athletic trainers.
• Studies documenting the outcomes of techniques used by athletic trainers focusing on patient-oriented and quality-of-life outcomes measures.
• Prospective, longitudinal studies of the epidemiology of conditions typically managed by athletic trainers which will help establish a firm scientific foundation for care provided by athletic trainers.
• Studies examining the outcomes of various procedures and approaches used in the education of athletic trainers.
• Studies that elucidate mechanisms that have applicability to athletic training that could serve as a foundation for clinical practice.
• Studies investigating issues related to equity, inclusion, and diversity in the athletic training profession.