A Year of Dental Research Excellence

2024-2025 was another outstanding year for research, with nearly $9 million in new funding secured from federal, state, and foundation sources. Additional proposals remain under review, with more funding notifications expected.

Since 2020, Collegiate investigators have received over $48 million in external support, strengthening the infrastructure, materials, and staffing needed to:

  • Discover new knowledge
  • Share findings with professional communities
  • Translate research into innovative treatments for patients and the public

Student Research

Student research remains a crown jewel of the College and a central feature of our local AADOCR annual meeting. We are proud to host one of the most active student research programs among dental schools worldwide, spanning:

  • Predoctoral students
  • Master’s-level researchers
  • PhD candidates
  • Postdoctoral fellows

In 2024 alone:

  • 44 predoctoral students received research funding
  • 33 students presented at national meetings

The NIH renewed funding for our T90/R90 training program, ensuring continued support for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

Internal Support

Our internal research support programs also remain strong, offering opportunities for investigators at all career stages. Two standout mechanisms include:

  • Seed Grant Program
  • Clinical/Dental Education Research Initiative Support Program (CRISP)

These programs have generated preliminary research that led to multiple external grant applications and millions in federal funding. We continue to be inspired by the initiative and innovation of our research community.

FY25 By the Numbers

$ 8.9M +

in external grant awards

$ 20.3M +

in grant applications

$ 192K +

awarded through internal grant programs

# 13

nationally in NIDCR funding

# 4

in Big Ten NIDCR Funding

30

research seminar presentations

70

National and International Student Research Presentations

44

Funded DDS Research Projects

9

T90/R90 Program Trainees

2024 Annual Report