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IOF Research Grants
The IOF Research Grants Program, supports innovative, evidence-based research that connects scientific discoveries with clinical applications in orthodontics. The program provides financial support, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, and addresses key challenges in orthodontics and related healthcare fields. Through mentorship and access to a global network of experts and institutions, IOF accelerates research development, enhancing education, patient care, and the advancement of orthodontic practices worldwide.
56
awards
13
awardee countries/regions
35
peer-reviewed publications
246
applications
32
applicant countries/regions
$1M+
funding
2026 Research Grants Program

In 2026, the IOF Research Grants Program enters a new phase of development, introducing a more structured and expanded framework to support technological innovation and clinical excellence in orthodontics.

Building on the successful Emerging Innovation Grants (EIG) and Advanced Innovation Grants (AIG) model introduced in 2025, IOF has created a pathway to support translational research across different stages.

This framework is further strengthened in 2026 with the introduction of Aligner Clinical Excellence Grants (ACE), extending IOF's support to the generation of high-quality clinical evidence and the advancement of best practices in everyday orthodontic care.

Emerging Innovation Grants
The Emerging Innovation Grants (EIG) offer two categories of one-year seed funding: Early-Stage and Mid-Level grants. These grants prioritize innovation and real-world impact over academic credentials and are open to researchers, engineers, and medical professionals beyond the field of orthodontics. Non-dental applicants must collaborate with an orthodontist, and all projects must be clinically relevant to orthodontics.
Advanced Innovation Grants
The Advanced Innovation Grants (AIG) supports projects beyond early stages, enabling larger-scale applications and multicenter research. It funds research with strong potential for implementation and real-world impact.
Aligner Clinical Excellence Grants
The Aligner Clinical Excellence Grants (ACE) supports clinically relevant studies focused on clear aligner therapy and digital orthodontics. These grants prioritize meaningful clinical questions, publication-oriented outcomes, and research topics aligned with annual priorities in the aligner field.