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AADOCR Student Research Fellowships

American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research

You are invited to submit research proposals for the AADOCR Student Research Fellowships. These Fellowships, supported by several major industrial companies, as well as by AADOCR and IADR Group Chapters, Sections, and members, are sponsored and administered by the AADOCR and have been created to encourage dental students living in the United States to consider careers in oral health research. Proposals are sought in basic and clinical research related to oral health.

Award Prize/Recognition

$2,100 for research
$600 Travel, after research is presented

Key Dates

Applications Open:

Jul 16, 2026

Applications Closed:

Jan 11, 2027

Criteria for Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Presence of a testable hypothesis
Suitability of methods and facilities
Significance of problem
Likelihood of success
Clarity and style
Student potential
Experience of mentor

Proposals that do not meet the criteria will NOT be considered.

Award Prize

Each Fellowship (the number is yet to be determined; 16 were funded in 2021) consists of a stipend of $2,100.

Upon completion of the research (must be completed within two years), acceptance of an abstract and presentation at the annual meeting, each recipient will then be awarded funds ($600) for transportation and accommodation expenses to the meeting. Recipients are required to present their research at the meeting, by submitting abstracts for poster or oral presentations.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct relevance to dental, oral and craniofacial research ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the fundamental requirement.

Competitive research should clearly fall within areas such as:

Oral biology
Dental diseases
Craniofacial development
Cariology
Periodontology
Oral microbiology
Oral cancer
Dental materials
Biomaterials
Oral immunology
Craniofacial genetics
Dental public health
Oral health services
Clinical dentistry
Regenerative dentistry
Oral health disparities

AADOCR's mission is specifically to drive research in these fields to advance health and well-being.

2. Scientific significance and potential to advance the field ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A strong project must do more than fit dentistry—it should address an important scientific or clinical question.

The proposal should clearly establish:

The problem
The knowledge gap
Why the gap matters
What the research will contribute
How the results could advance the chosen field

For the New Faculty Research Fellowship, AADOCR explicitly asks whether the research project has the potential to advance the applicant's chosen field.

3. Originality and innovation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AADOCR strongly rewards original research.

For example, its Hatton Competition is specifically designed for junior investigators whose research is original, well-planned, and carefully executed.

Competitive projects should demonstrate:

Novel hypothesis
New scientific concept
Innovative methodology
New therapeutic/diagnostic approach
New understanding of oral disease
Innovative technology or biomaterial
New approach to oral-health prevention

4. Strong research methodology and rigor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A scientifically important idea must have a convincing research plan.

A strong application should contain:

Clear hypothesis
Specific aims
Appropriate methods
Study design
Appropriate controls
Statistical plan
Feasible timeline
Clearly defined outcomes

For the New Faculty Fellowship, AADOCR specifically requires the project description to include the hypothesis, methodology, publication/presentation plans, and a realistic timeline.

5. Strong early-career investigator potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is particularly important for AADOCR's fellowship and new-investigator programs.

The AADOCR P&G New Faculty Research Fellowship is explicitly designed to support researchers at the early stages of their scientific careers and enhance their development as faculty-level scientists.

Strong applicants demonstrate:

Commitment to a research career
Academic promise
Research experience
Relevant publications
Clear scientific direction
Potential for independence

6. Clear career-development plan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For early-career funding, AADOCR wants to see how the award will help build the applicant's future research career.

A strong plan should explain how the funding will help with:

Generating preliminary data
Research training
Establishing a laboratory
Completing a research project
Preparing manuscripts
Preparing future grant applications
Establishing collaborations

The New Faculty Fellowship specifically requires a career plan describing career development and how the fellowship will affect future research.

7. Strong mentor/supervisor and institutional support ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AADOCR explicitly evaluates the support demonstrated in the supervisor/department-head letter.

A strong institutional environment should provide:

Appropriate laboratory facilities
Research equipment
Patient/sample access
Statistical support
Mentorship
Protected research time
Institutional commitment

For early-career investigators, a strong mentor can substantially strengthen the credibility of the proposed career trajectory.

8. Potential for publications and future funding ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AADOCR fellowships are designed to help investigators generate data and move toward:

Peer-reviewed publications
Conference presentations
Larger research grants
External collaborations
Independent research programs

The New Faculty Fellowship explicitly allows funding to be used for research, preparation of research for publication, or grant submission.

This makes a proposal particularly attractive when the applicant can demonstrate:

AADOCR funding → preliminary data → publication → larger external grant → independent research program.

9. Oral-health equity and underserved populations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an important AADOCR-specific opportunity.

The AADOCR Delta Dental Institute Oral Health Equity Research Award specifically supports research addressing:

Social determinants of health
Oral-health disparities
Access to care
Oral-health literacy
Underserved populations
Rural communities
Tribal communities
Adolescents
Hard-to-reach populations

The award provides $25,000 for each of two research areas.

Therefore, for equity-focused programs, demonstrating a clear connection between the research and oral-health disparities can be a major success predictor.

10. Scientific communication and presentation quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

AADOCR places substantial emphasis on scientific communication through its annual meeting, competitions, presentations, and publications.

The Hatton Competition, for example, evaluates junior investigators presenting their research and is designed to identify individuals with potential for productive careers in dental research.

For presentation-based awards, important factors include:

Clear explanation of the research question
Significance
Key results
Logical organization
Ability to communicate to non-specialists
Confidence
Ability to answer questions

The Rising Researcher Poster Competition explicitly evaluates clarity, significance, rigor, comprehension, content, engagement, and communication.

Specialties

Others

Eligibility Requirements

A maximum of five applications per institution will be accepted for review.
A maximum of one student applicant per faculty advisor will be allowed.
Students must be enrolled in an accredited DDS/DMD, combined DDS/PhD program or hygiene program in a dental (health-associated) institution within the USA.
Students must be sponsored by a faculty member at that institution.
Students should not have received their degree, nor should they be due to receive their degree in the year of the award (2026). Applicants may have an advanced degree in a basic science subject; and
Candidates MUST be AADOCR members.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1619 Duke Street Alexandria, VA, 22314-3406

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