American Dental Association Scholarships

Purpose, Description, and Objectives: The American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) dental student scholarships help predoctoral dental students defray a part of their professional education expenses. The goal of this program is to facilitate the education of academically gifted dental students. Students in the second year of study at the time of application, and currently attending or enrolled at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, are eligible. The ADAF accepts one application per school per program, submitted by the school on behalf of the student. The ADAF does not accept applications submitted directly from students. (See guidelines for complete rules and eligibility requirements.)

Dollar Amount and Number of Scholarships Available: Each year, the ADA Foundation makes the following scholarships available.

1. Dental Student Scholarships: Approx. 25 awards, up to $2,500 each award (up to $62,500 total funding)

2. Underrepresented Minority Dental Student: Approx. 25 awards, up to $2,500 each award (up to $62,500 total funding)

3. Robert J. Sullivan Scholarships: Up to two awards, up to $2,500 each award (up to $5,000 total funding)

4. Dr. Robert B. Dewhirst Scholarships: Up to two awards, up to $2.500 each award (up to $5,000 total funding), one to an applicatn from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry and one to an applicant from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California (USC).

Total: Approx. 54 scholarships with up to $135,000 total funding.

Scholarship Timetable: Completed applications must be returned to the ADA Foundaiton by December 9, 2013. The application will be distributed to all dental schools accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, and also announced through other ADA communication channels and on this website.