The AAP Foundation’s 2026 awards cycle is underway. Awards are available for students, residents, faculty, clinicians, and institutions with periodontal programs. If your work involves research, teaching, clinical excellence, leadership, or strengthening education within your program, there is an award designed for you.
Below is a guide to this year’s opportunities, organized by category.
New for 2026
- AAP Annual Meeting Scholarships, now administered by the AAP Foundation
- International Resident Award
- Expanded Patty & Paul Levi Research Award, now awarded annually to both a predoctoral student and a periodontal resident
- Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award eligibility extended up to five years post-residency
Recognizing Excellence and Leadership in Students, Residents, and Recent Graduates
Annual Meeting Scholarships — $500 (Deadline: June 1). Several awarded annually for residents or clinicians up to two years post-graduation. New for 2026: Applications will now be submitted through the AAP Foundation.
International Resident Award — $2,000 (Deadline: June 1). For second-year periodontal residents who earned their dental degree internationally. New for 2026.
Dr. Mark K. Setter Leadership in Periodontology and Dental Implantology Award — $10,000 (Deadline: June 1). Recognizes a periodontal resident in any year of training who exemplifies leadership in the specialty.
Dr. & Mrs. Gerald M. Kramer Scholar Award — $10,000 (Deadline: May 15). For third-year full-time periodontal residents demonstrating excellence.
Dr. D. Walter Cohen Teaching Award — $10,000 (Deadline: June 1). For third-year periodontal residents intending to pursue a full-time academic career.
Educator Scholarships — $12,000 (Deadline: June 1). Two awards annually for periodontal residents in any year of training who intend to pursue teaching.
Recognizing Excellence and Leadership in Early-Career Faculty
Nevins Teaching and Clinical Research Fellowship and Nevins-BioHorizons Fellowship — $20,000 (Deadline: June 1). Two awards annually for full-time faculty teaching one to five years.
Teaching Fellowships — $25,000 (Deadline: June 1). Two awards annually for faculty in their first three years of full-time teaching.
Bud & Linda Tarrson Fellowship — $30,000 (Deadline: May 1). For full- or part-time faculty teaching 10 years or fewer.
Recognizing and Funding Research
Robert S. Schoor Research Award — $2,000 (Deadline: June 1). For a periodontal resident in any year of training submitting research significant to clinical practice.
Patty & Paul Levi Research Award — $5,000 (Deadline: June 1). Awarded annually to a predoctoral student with a completed research project related to prevention. New for 2026: second award now available for a periodontal resident.
Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award — $10,000 (Deadline: June 1). Note eligibility extension: For second- or third-year periodontal residents, or recent graduates (academics or clinicians) up to five years post-graduation who have completed original research in periodontal regeneration.
Dr. Colin Richman Family Perio-Ortho Grant — $20,000 (Deadline: June 1). Up to two awards annually for periodontal or orthodontic residents or faculty in first five years of academia performing research in the perio-ortho interface.
Educational Program Funding
Institute for Teaching and Learning Fellowships — $3,500 (Deadline: April 30). Five awards annually for residents, faculty, or clinicians pursuing formal training in health professions education.
Charles W. Finley Visiting Scholar Education Grant — $2,000 (Deadline: April 1). Five awards annually for U.S. periodontal programs hosting educational speakers.
Apply Now
Full eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at:
AAP Foundation Award Application Site
Please share these opportunities with eligible students, residents, faculty, clinicians, and colleagues. We look forward to reviewing this year’s applications and celebrating the individuals and programs shaping the future of periodontology.