The AAO Foundation has made 2012 awards materials available on its Web site. The deadline for proposals is December 15, 2011, at 5:30 PM CST.

Opportunities for 2012 include the following;

  • Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Awards for junior faculty in years 1-3/5 of their academic careers. This award may be used for salary supplement;
  • Biomedical Research Award for junior faculty in years 3/5-14 of their academic careers. This award may not be used for salary supplement; and
  • Planning Awards for Education Innovation Award (EIA) Planning Grant.

Proposals that address the specialty’s concerns with respect to craniofacial anomalies and special care patients are encouraged in all categories.

Funding also continues for stage two of the AAO Foundation Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collections Project.

The goal of the Foundation’s awards program is to advance the orthodontic specialty by supporting education and research. The funding is designed to ensure the future viability of the specialty by investing in the next generation of educators and researchers.

Since 1994, the AAO Foundation Awards Program has provided $8 million in funding.