Innovation in Oral Care Awards
The Innovation in Oral Care Awards fund cross-disciplinary research developing new oral care technologies with broad public health impact, supporting innovative compounds, biomaterials, or devices for routine consumer use.
Funder: American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research
Due Dates: November 24, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per award; up to three awards; project duration up to 2 years; indirect costs capped at 8%.
Summary: Funds innovative research to develop novel oral care technologies with potential for broad public health impact.
Key Information: PI must be or become an IADR member; cross-disciplinary collaboration with non-dental fields strongly encouraged.
Description
The Innovation in Oral Care Awards, jointly sponsored by the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) and Haleon, support pioneering research that advances oral care technologies beyond traditional dental science. The goal is to foster the development of innovative compounds, biomaterials, or devices with the potential for routine public use to improve oral health and quality of life. Projects should have a clear pathway to broad consumer access, ideally through over-the-counter or general sale channels.
Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Inhibition or removal of oral biofilms
- Surface modification to prevent deposits, stains, and odors
- Adhesives for removable prosthetic devices
- Prevention and mitigation of tooth surface loss and gingival recession
- Solutions addressing oral effects of dry mouth, systemic illness, hormonal changes, or aging
The awards are unrestricted research grants, encouraging cross-disciplinary teams, particularly those including expertise outside of dental science, to drive impactful advancements in oral care.
