Alexandria, VA – The AADOCR is now accepting applications for Cohort 7 of the Mind the Future Program, thanks again to the generous support of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. In 2020, AADOCR was awarded a five-year grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (Grant No. 5UE5DE029439). In July 2025, AADOCR announced that it would continue the program for a sixth year, thanks to the support of CareQuest Institute.
For the past six years, the AADOCR Mind the Future program has fostered cohorts of distinguished early-career investigators in the dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research field. The program’s goal is to develop a sustainable, nationally recognized mentoring network that enhances the career development of such researchers with merit-based opportunities for all. The program aims to continue to cultivate a robust pathway of future investigators to address critical scientific challenges.
For year seven, up to ten program participants will be selected and must commit to at least one full year of mentoring education/activities. Twelve months will be devoted to enhancing research career development through intensive hands-on work, combining in-person sessions with distance-learning components and engaging in a mentored grant writing experience. Additionally, mentees are encouraged to remain engaged with the program to foster peer mentoring and to support further career development based on individual needs and preferences.
“AADOCR is proud to continue this mentoring network program for a seventh year with the generous support of CareQuest Institute,” said AADOCR President Nisha D’Silva. “By investing in the next generation of researchers today, we are helping to shape the future of oral health research. Through mentorship, collaboration and opportunity, we can empower emerging scientists to tackle tomorrow’s greatest scientific challenges with confidence and innovation.”
"The future of oral health access and equity depends on the next generation of researchers, innovators, and leaders,” said Eric Tranby, Senior Director of Analytics & Data Insights at CareQuest Institute. “Through our support of Mind the Future, we are investing in early-career scholars whose ideas, discoveries, and commitment to public health will help create a more equitable future where everyone can achieve optimal oral health.”
The AADOCR Mind the Future Program is open to early-career faculty/investigators (postdoctoral or junior faculty) in academic and research institutions who wish to advance their careers in dental, oral and craniofacial health research. Principal investigators are IADR/AADOCR CEO Christopher Fox, Effie Ioannidou of the University of California San Francisco, and David Drake of the University of Iowa.
Apply by September 1, 2026 - https://www.aadocr.org/awards/mind/aadocr-mind-future-application
About AADOCR
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. Learn more at www.aadocr.org.
About CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit championing a more equitable future where every person can reach their full potential through excellent health. We do this through our work in philanthropy, analytics and data insights, health transformation, policy and advocacy, and education as well as our leadership in dental benefits and innovation advancements. We collaborate with thought leaders, health care providers, patients, and local, state, and federal stakeholders, to accelerate oral health care transformation and create a system designed for everyone. To learn more, visit carequest.org and follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
