Trailblazers in Oral Health Research (TORCH) Fellowship Award
Forecasted
Trailblazers in Oral Health Research (TORCH) Fellowship Award supports underrepresented postdoctoral scientists with oral health research, mentorship, and professional development to advance oral health equity.
Funder: National Dental Association Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $70,000 fellowship supporting a one-year research commitment
Summary: Supports underrepresented postdoctoral biomedical and dental clinician-scientists pursuing oral health research and advancing oral health equity.
Key Information: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a completed PhD or DDS/DMD and current advanced training.
Description
The National Dental Association Foundation (NDAF) and Colgate-Palmolive Company established the Trailblazers in Oral Health Research (TORCH) Fellowship Award to support outstanding postdoctoral biomedical and dental clinician-scientists from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the health sciences. The fellowship recognizes emerging scientists whose lived experiences and perspectives enrich research, with an emphasis on representation, innovation, and addressing persistent gaps in oral health care and knowledge.
Research must address dental caries, tooth whitening, gingival health, or dentin hypersensitivity. Alongside financial support, recipients receive mentorship, professional development, and industry exposure. The fellowship provides opportunities to share research with Colgate scientific leadership and National Dental Association audiences, while requiring manuscript preparation to support dissemination through a leading peer-reviewed journal.
