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Division of Biomedical Research Workforce

Let NIH Help You in Your Research Career Goal toward Becoming a Dentist-Scientist

Let NIH Help You in Your Research Career Goal toward Becoming a Dentist-Scientist

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DDS/DMD-PhD Career with

Definitely want to do dental research as a major part of a medical career

DDS/DMD Career with

Interested in health and disease and a career with research

College

Explore Research
  • Summer research

    NIH-R25

    Summer research

    The NIH provides funds to institutions for short-term research training for students interested in careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research. Learn More

  • One-two years after college

    NIH-IRTA

    One-Two years after college

    Recent college graduates who plan to apply to graduate or professional (medical/dental/veterinary/pharmacy) schools can spend one or two years in full-time research at the NIH campus in the Intramural Research Training Award program. Learn more

  • Summer Internship Program at NIH

    Summer Internship Program at NIH

    Summer internship in biomedical research at an NIH campus, for students in high school, college, graduate or professional school. Learn more

Complete a Dual Degree

  • Graduate fellowship NIH-F30, NIH-F31

    Graduate fellowship

    Individual fellowships provide research training for graduate students and dual degree DDS/DMD-PhD students. Consider preparing an application to support your research and training goals. F30
    F31

  • Integrated DDS/DMD-PhD NIDCR institutional NIH-T32, T90

    Integrated DDS/DMD-PhD NIDCR Institutional dual degree programs

    NIDCR supports institutional programs to train students seeking careers in research and academic dentistry. Learn more

Explore research

  • Summer research

    NIH-T35

    Summer research

    Short-term research training opportunities are available for students interested in careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research. Search for activity T35 award institutions in NIH Reporter.
    Learn More.

  • Full year research

    NIH-TL1

    Full year research

    The NIH provides institutions with outstanding research training programs with funds to support students in clinical and translational research. Learn more

  • Full year research

    NIH-MSRP

    Full year research

    The Medical Research Scholars Program supports students currently enrolled in an accredited medical, dental or veterinary program in mentored research at the NIH campus. Learn more

  • NIDCR Summer Dental Student Award

    NIDCR Summer Dental Student Award

    Dental students gain experience in oral health research at the NIH. Learn more

  • NIH Clinical Electives Program

    NIH Clinical Electives Program

    Offers short term, 4- to 12-week clinically oriented rotations to both national and international, senior medical and dental students. Learn more

Dental School

Engage In Research

To learn more about a career as a physician-scientist, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) , veterinary, dental scientist. Many schools offer research programs that may be pursued with a professional degree.

Postdoctoral Research & Dental Specialty

Build research and clinical skills
  • Opportunities in NIH Clinical Center

    Opportunities in NIH Clinical Center

    The NIH Clinical Center offers graduate medical education opportunities. Learn more about residency and sub-specialty training programs

  • Pursue a Master's Program or PhD

    F32

    Pursue a Master's Program of PhD

    Students who seek training in experimental skills and design may complete a Master’s program in Clinical investigation, or PhD. Learn More

  • Postdoctoral Research NIDCR

    T32, T90/R90

    Postdoctoral Research NIDCR

    The NIDCR supports Institutions that offer outstanding research training for dentists. These programs provide up to three years of research training in basic, clinical and/or translational research. Learn More

  • Dental Clinical Research Fellowship at NIH

    Dental Clinical Research Fellowship at NIH

    Two year program in clinical and translational research at NIH. Learn More

  • Dental Public Health Residency

    Dental Public Health Residency

    One-year training program for dentists with MPH, in dental public health with emphasis on oral and craniofacial, health related epidemiological research at the NIH. Learn More

  • Dentist Pathway to Independence

    K99/R00

    Dentist Path to Independence NIDCR

    Two years mentored postdoctoral training followed by 3-5 years of research, to facilitate transition of dual degree dentist scientists to independent faculty position. Learn More

  • Loan Repayment Program

    NIH-LRP

    Loan Repayment Award

    NIH offers health professionals in eligible research activities awards to repay qualified educational debt.Learn more

Early Faculty

Combine clinical care and research
  • Clinical translational research

    NIH-KL2

    Clinical translational research

    Institutions with a KL2 program offer up to five years’ support for mentored research training and career development to scholars with a professional degree to develop independent research programs. Learn more

  • Focused research

    NIH-K12

    Focused research

    Institutions nationwide receive NIH-K12 support for mentored career development awards to prepare newly-trained clinicians who have made a commitment to independent research careers, and to facilitate their transition to more advanced support mechanisms. Learn more

  • Individual career development

    NIH-K

    Individual career development

    The NIH mentored clinical research career development award in biomedical and behavioral science (K08) and clinical science (K23) provide support and protected time to individuals with a clinical doctoral degree for an intensive, supervised research career development experience. Learn More

A Career as a Dentist Scientist

Conduct research on biomedical mechanisms, diagnosis and therapy, population and outcome medicine, health policy or health services

Work at Academic Health Centers, Hospitals, Federal Laboratories, or Biotech/Pharmaceutical industry

  • Collaborate with a team of researchers

    NIH-U01, R24

    Collaborate with a team of researchers

    Multi-center clinical studies are supported by the NIH for clinical studies, interventional trials and observational studies, conducted at three or more centers. The NIH-R24 supports strong interdisciplinary research teams focused on innovative approaches to address current challenges.

  • Independent research project grants

    NIH-R01, R21

    Independent research project grants

    The R01 provides support for health-related research that stems from an investigator or multi-investigator team. The R21 encourages exploratory/developmental research, usually proposed as a two-year project.

  • National Practice Based Research Network

    NIH PBRN

    National Practice Based Research Network

    Hub with six regional nodes to support dental professionals interested in participating in clinical studies. Learn More

* Supplement to Enhance Diversity is appplicable at all career levels