The AAOF has defined seven Award Program priority areas:
- Biomedical Research Awards
- Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Awards
- Center Awards
- Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
- Educational Innovation Awards
- Program Awards
- Research Aid Awards
The funds necessary for these awards are the result of the Foundation's endowment fundraising campaign, Continued Commitment to the Specialty®.
View the committee's policies regarding Confidentiality of Information and Conflicts of Interest HERE.
2025 Awards Program
The deadline for the 2025 Award cycle has passed and the application window is now closed.
Application Materials for the annual AAOF Awards are now available on the new online platform (click button below to apply after July 1).
The Call for Proposals on the two following topics can be submitted through the Accelerated Funding Program immediately rather than through the normal funding process. This on-going funding was made available to address urgent needs for research funding. The applications can be submitted anytime under the Center Award, Biomedical Research Award, Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Award, and Research Aid Award categories. Please note on your application, in the title of your proposal if you are applying through the Accelerated Funding Program.
Impending Issues in Orthodontics
Business of Orthodontic Practice
Members of the Planning and Awards Review Committee facilitated a virtual workshop to provide guidance on submitting a successful proposal on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 11 am-1 pm.
View the 2024 AAOF Awards Application Workshop PowerPoint presentation HERE or
watch the live Virtual Workshop/Zoom Meeting, presented live on 6/7/24 HERE.
All applications must be submitted through our online process.
Summary of 2025 Awards
- Eight (8) Biomedical Research Awards (BRA)
- Four (4) Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Awards (OFDFA)
- One (1) Center Award (CA)
- Thirteen (13) Research Aid Awards (RA)
Biomedical Research Award (BRA)
- Rishma Shah, Indiana University - B.F. Dewel Memorial Biomedical Research Award
- Eliane Dutra, University of Connecticut - Burstone-Indiana Biomechanics Award
- Phimon Atsawasuwan, University of Illinois - Robert L. Boyd Biomedical Research Award
- Shivam Mehta, Texas A&M Health Science Center - Graber Family Biomedical Research Award
- Yan Jing, Texas A&M Health Science Center - Robert James Bray Biomedical Research Award
- Zhe Zhong, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry - Fred & Dianne Garrett Biomedical Research Award
- Chenshuang Li, University of Pennsylvania - Fred F. Schudy Memorial Research Award
- Divakar Karanth, University of Florida
Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Awards (OFDFA)
- Corey Shook, Oregon Health & Science University - Willie & EArl Shepard Fellowship Award
- Min Kyeong Lee, University of Illinois - Orhan C. Tuncay Teaching Fellowship Award
- Xianrui Yang, University of Florida - Graber Family Teaching & Research Award
- Heeyeon Suh, University of the Pacific - James A. McNamara Orthodontic Faculty Fellowship Award
Center Award (CA)
- Mohammed Elnagar, University of Illinois - Align Technologies Corporate Award
Research Aid Award (RAA)
- Arshia Ashjaei, University of Pittsburgh - Charles J. Burstone Research Aid Award
- Erin Malone, University of California - San Francisco - Charles J. Burstone Research Aid Award
- Gregory Chaffin, Indiana University - Charles J. Burstone Research Aid Award
- John Nelson, University of North Carolina
- Jenna Berry, University of Illinois
- Natnicha Praneetpong, University of Illinois
- Bushra Kanwal, University of Illinois
- Gina DeLeonibus, University of Pittsburgh
- Tiffany Park, University of California - San Francisco
- Mackenzie Stephens, University in the City of New York
- Linneaa Halpert, University of Toronto
- Catherine Choe, University of Connecticut - Charles J. Burstone Research Aid Award
- Jarlath McDonnell, University of Toronto
Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collection Project - AAO Foundation Continued Support
The Dewel Award is given to the most meritorious Biomedical Research Award.
The AAOF Board of Directors Award is given at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The Shepard Award designation is given annually to the most meritorious Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Award.
The Burstone-Indiana Award is given to the successful applicant of the award each year and designated as a Burstone Fellow in Biomechanics.