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IADR Dianne Rekow Mentoring in Science Award

International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research

The IADR Dianne Rekow Mentoring in Science Award was created in recognition of the late Dr. Rekow and her inspiring dedication and mentorship to many students, scholars and faculty in the dental, oral, and craniofacial sciences. Dianne Rekow was the 88th president of the IADR (2011-2012) and the 35th president of the AADOCR (2006-2007). She was a board member of many dental associations in academia and industry, the former Dean of the King’s College London Dental Institute, and the Vice-Provost of Engineering and Technology at New York University.

Through Dianne’s legacy, the goal is to fund an award that will enable the mentoring of a promising early career researcher by mid-career faculty in the dental, oral, and craniofacial sciences.

The award was introduced by the IADR Women in Science Network (WISN) and Dr. Van Thompson, Dianne’s husband and former chair of the Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics at New York University College of Dentistry, and will be managed by IADR.

The funds will be awarded once per year to the mentor/mentee institution (eligible expenses include the mentee’s one year stipend, related experimental costs such as equipment fees and research supplies and travelling expenses to the IADR General Session & Exhibition).

One application is to be submitted by the Mentor.

Award Prize/Recognition

$10,000

Key Dates

Applications Open:

Jul 13, 2026

Applications Closed:

Oct 01, 2026

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. High-quality dental, oral, or craniofacial research ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the fundamental requirement.

Competitive research should clearly address areas such as:

Dental research
Oral biology
Oral diseases
Craniofacial biology
Dental materials
Cariology
Periodontology
Oral microbiology
Oral cancer
Oral health services
Digital dentistry
Diagnostic sciences
Clinical and translational oral research

IADR's current award portfolio spans numerous scientific areas, including behavioral/epidemiologic research, cariology, craniofacial biology, dental materials, diagnostic sciences, and clinical/translational science.

2. Scientific quality and significance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quality of research is explicitly listed among IADR/AADOCR's acceptable review criteria.

Strong applications should demonstrate:

Important research question
Strong scientific rationale
Clear objectives
Appropriate hypothesis
Meaningful expected results
Potential contribution to the field

IADR committees evaluate applications using award-specific criteria and the standardized 1–9 scoring system.

3. Originality and innovation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Innovation is especially important for research and innovation awards.

Competitive proposals should demonstrate:

Novel concepts
Original hypotheses
New methodologies
Innovative technologies
New approaches to oral disease
Potential to challenge established paradigms

For example, IADR's Innovation in Oral Care Awards explicitly evaluate the originality and novelty of the research proposal, including whether it employs novel concepts, approaches, or methods.

4. Strong applicant research potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

IADR awards frequently evaluate the applicant's ability to conduct the proposed research.

Important factors include:

Research training
Academic credentials
Publications
Previous research experience
Technical expertise
Career trajectory
Demonstrated commitment to research

The organization's published review framework specifically identifies academic credentials, academic promise, commitment to a research career, and ability to conduct the proposed research as possible criteria.

5. Clear career-development potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For fellowships and early-career awards, reviewers pay particular attention to how the award will advance the applicant's scientific career.

A strong application should explain:

Current career stage
Research skills to be developed
Long-term career goals
How the award fills a training gap
How the research will lead toward independence

The AADOCR P&G New Faculty Research Fellowship, for example, specifically aims to support dental, oral, and craniofacial researchers at the early stages of their scientific careers.

6. Strong institutional environment and support ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The IADR review framework specifically lists:

Institutional environment
Institutional commitment
Facilities
Ability to conduct the research

as possible evaluation criteria.

Competitive proposals should demonstrate access to:

Appropriate laboratories
Clinical facilities
Specialized equipment
Patient/sample populations
Statistical expertise
Qualified mentors
Collaborators

7. Appropriate methodology and feasibility ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A strong proposal should clearly describe:

Research design
Materials and methods
Statistical analysis
Sample size where appropriate
Facilities/equipment
Timeline
Budget

For example, the David B. Scott Fellowship explicitly asks for aims, significance, background, materials and methods, statistical treatment, facilities/equipment, and budget.

8. Potential impact on oral health and quality of life ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Projects should explain how the research could ultimately:

Prevent oral disease
Improve diagnosis
Improve treatment
Improve oral function
Reduce oral-health disparities
Improve quality of life
Advance dental technologies

This is especially important for innovation-focused awards, where IADR evaluates the potential importance to oral health and quality of life.

9. Publication and dissemination potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Strong research should have a clear pathway toward:

Peer-reviewed publications
IADR presentations
Scientific conferences
Research collaborations
Further external funding

For the David B. Scott Fellowship, IADR explicitly states that it expects the research experience to result in a paper that can be presented at an IADR General Session or divisional meeting.

10. Exact fit with the specific IADR award ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is critical because IADR does not operate one single grant program.

Current opportunities include:

IADR Young Investigator Award
IADR Regional Development Program
IADR Toshio Nakao Fellowship
AADOCR P&G New Faculty Research Fellowship
IADR Innovation in Oral Care Awards
IADR David B. Scott Fellowship
Numerous scientific division and network awards.

Each program can have substantially different eligibility and evaluation criteria.

Specialties

Others

Eligibility Requirements

Mentor must be a scientist within 10 years of their last academic degree and who has been active as a researcher (with output of publications during this period of time).
Mentor must be an IADR member and WISN member at the time of application.
Mentee must be an IADR member at the time of submission and a graduate student (MSc, PhD, or Postdoctoral fellow) at the time of application submission.

Sponsor Details

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

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

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

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