The Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026 research grant round.
Supporting innovative, intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in oral health. These grants aim to foster collaboration across disciplines to generate high-impact research that improves patient care, reduces health disparities, and strengthens oral healthcare frameworks. By funding projects that integrate expertise from dentistry, medicine, public health, and related fields, ADRF seeks to support research with real-world applications and potential for securing larger national-level grants.
Collaboration is essential for addressing complex oral health challenges. Studies show that multidisciplinary approaches lead to more comprehensive, evidence-based solutions tailored to diverse populations (Marshman et al., 2020). These collaborations also enhance the translation of research into practice, improving patient care and reducing disparities (Slade et al., 2020). Additionally, integrating oral health into broader healthcare frameworks can lead to more effective prevention strategies and reduce the long-term burden on the healthcare system (Hughes et al., 2018).
The Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF) is pleased to announce the opening dates for the 2026 research grant round.
ADRF Collaborative Research Grant – Supporting intradisciplinary/ interdisciplinary research to address significant oral health challenges.
ADRF Oral Health Promotion Research Grant – Focused on advancing oral health promotion through a multidisciplinary approach.
Grant Details
Funding:
ADRF Collaborative Research Grant – Five grants of $50,000 each, supporting large-scale collaborative research projects.
Oral Health Promotion Research Grant (ADA) – $15,000, provided by the Australian Dental Association Ltd. (ADA Ltd.), supporting research in oral health promotion and preventive strategies.
Duration: 12 months
Eligibility: Open to senior researchers (Chief Investigators) with demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary research.
Application Period: Opens 17 March 2026, Closes 16th May 2026
Key Requirements:
Strong governance structure and clear project roles.
Collaboration between universities, research institutions, and healthcare services.
Research with the potential to contribute to national and international evidence-based oral healthcare policies.
Projects that may serve as pilot studies for securing larger grants (e.g., ARC, MRFF, or industry partnerships).
Successful applicants will work closely with ADRF and the ADA to promote research outcomes and enhance the translation of findings into practice.
For more details on eligibility and application guidelines, visit the ADRF grant portal.
Legacy Grants
We extend our sincere gratitude to the generous Award sponsors who have supported outstanding projects through ranking them under various categories. These categories highlight specific areas of dental research that have been identified as critical for advancing oral health.
ADRF in the past has been able to offer grants like-Reginald and Pamela Hession Award, Colin Cormie Scholarship and Trebitsch Award with the sponsor’s support.
A Registered Charity
The Australian Dental Research Foundation Ltd is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Status with the Australian Tax Office.
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