Grantee: AAOF

Award: Up to $50,000/year, typically for two years

Application Deadline: December 15, 2008

Web address: www.aaofoundation.net/Awards/index.cfm

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be dentists with specialty training in orthodontics obtained in an ADA accredited program and hold a doctorate (PhD, DMS or equivalent).
• The institution must have a well-established research and clinical career development program and qualified faculty in clinical or basic research to serve as mentors. The institution must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the development of the candidate as a productive, independent investigator.
• At least 75 % of the recipient's full-time professional effort must be devoted to the goals of this award.
• Fellows must name a primary mentor, who should be recognized as an accomplished investigator in the proposed research area and have a track record of success in training independent investigators. The mentor should have sufficient independent research support to cover the costs of the proposed research project in excess of the allowable costs of this award. Candidates may nominate co-mentors as appropriate to the goals of the program.

Description:

The purpose of the mentored postdoctoral orthodontic development award is to support the development of outstanding orthodontic research scientists. This mechanism provides specialized study for dentists holding an orthodontic certificate from an ADA-accredited program and a doctorate committed to pursuing postdoctoral training in laboratory or clinical research. This award supports a two year ($100,000) or three year ($150,000) period of supervised research experience beyond graduate school that may integrate laboratory or clinically-based research with limited clinical practice. The proposed research must have intrinsic research importance as well as serve as a suitable vehicle for learning the methodology, theories, and conceptualizations necessary for a well-trained independent researcher.

The award provides money for a two year period. In exceptional circumstances, the award may be extended for a third year.

A total of $50,000 will be awarded for the first year at the beginning of the budget period. A detailed budget is required. Funds for the second year will be awarded on a non-competitive basis pending adequate progress as demonstrated by annual reports submitted for review to AAOF. Funding for a possible third year will be awarded on a competitive basis and will require a new application submitted to AAOF, which is to include all data obtained under this award period.

Uses/Restrictions/Conflicts:

An individual at a graduate orthodontic residency program may apply for that Award, and a different individual at that same program may apply for the Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Award.   Also, individuals may apply for a Post-doctoral Fellowship Award and also either an Orthodontic Faculty Development fellowship Award or a Biomedical Research Award, in the event that the Post-doctoral Fellowship Award is not approved.