NIDCR Summer Dental Student Award

Application Link
NIDCR Summer Dental Student Award

Program Description

To expose future dentists to careers in research, NIDCR offers an outstanding summer research training opportunity in its intramural research labs for dental students. This award is designed to give talented dental students hands-on research experience and exposure to the latest advances in oral health research. Summer Dental Student Awardees are assigned to mentors who conduct research in the students’ areas of interest. Participation in the program may result in presentation of research findings at a scientific meeting or co-authorship of scientific publications.

Application Due Date
January 15th (February 8th for supplemental materials)

Eligibility
  • Applicants must be enrolled in accredited U.S. dental schools.
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residence is required.
  • The nominating dental school must provide support for round-trip transportation for the student. (This must be stated in the dean's nomination letter.)
  • Applicant must work for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks.

NIDCR encourages students from diverse backgrounds to apply, including but not limited to students/individuals:

  • From racial and ethnic groups that have been underrepresented in health-related sciences
  • With disabilities
  • Who are Pell Grant-eligible
  • Who are enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  • Who identify as LGBTQ
  • Disadvantaged by circumstances that have negatively impacted their educational opportunities, including recent natural disasters

Length
Minimum of eight weeks, 40 hours per week

Award Benefits

The stipends for trainees are adjusted yearly; the level depends on experience. For details, see the Trainee Stipends page.

How to Apply

Complete the program application that is available on the Summer Internship Program website.

The complete online application package also must contain:

  • A resume/curriculum vitae
  • Description of applicant's research experience
  • Personal statement from applicant discussing areas of research interest and reasons for applying to the program
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors/mentors/deans

The following supplemental application materials must be sent directly to the NIDCR Office of Education (see address below):

  • Nominating letter from the dean of the dental school highlighting student's accomplishments. The dean's letter must clearly state that the dental school will provide round trip transportation to and from Washington, D.C. for the student.
  • Official college, graduate, and dental school transcripts
  • Current "Letter of Good Standing" from dental school admissions office
Staff Contact
Last Reviewed on
March 2024