The American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR), in partnership with Dentsply Sirona and the SCADA Alumni Association, has launched a new research program designed to support early career professionals in the dental, oral and craniofacial sciences.
The AADOCR SCADA/Dentsply Sirona Research Award will provide up to $10,000 in funding to selected applicants.
The SCADA (Student Competitions for the Advancement of Dental Research and Its Applications) program was originally established in 1959 to inspire dental students to pursue research.
Participants in the program will become members of the SCADA Alumni Association, a global community of students, researchers, clinicians and academic institutions. The SCADA program has been supported by Dentsply Sirona since its inception.
This newly established award is open to postdoctoral researchers and non-tenure-track faculty, including past SCADA participants. The award is intended to promote research careers and help address the shortage of dental scientists advancing to senior academic and research positions.
The award can be used for research implementation, infrastructure development, and scientific publication. The awardee must submit a progress report within one year of the award.
“At Dentsply Sirona, our mission is to advance the field of oral health care through innovation and scientific discovery,” said Dr. Rainer Seemann, Chief Clinical Officer of Dentsply Sirona.
“Through investment in research and academia, we aim to empower emerging dental professionals, advance the field, and improve patient care worldwide.”
Dr. Effie Ioannidou, President of AADOCR, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “This award represents a critical step toward providing stable research funding for dental scientists.
It further demonstrates the ongoing commitment of AADOCR, its partners, and the SCADA Alumni Association to support excellence in dental, oral, and craniofacial research.”
Applications for the award will be evaluated by a nine-member jury, four from the SCADA committee and five from IADR/AADOCR.
Key factors in the evaluation include the applicant’s scientific merit, innovativeness, commitment to a research-based academic career, and personal circumstances that impact the applicant’s research capabilities.
The application deadline is July 1, 2025. The inaugural winner will be announced at the 2026 AADOCR Annual Meeting and SCADA Awards Ceremony in San Diego, California. Funding for the award is provided jointly by the SCADA Alumni Association and AADOCR.
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