Align Technology has opened applications for its 2027 Annual Research Award Program, making up to $300,000 available to support clinical, scientific, and technological research in orthodontics and dentistry.
The program will offer four awards of up to $25,000 each in the Americas, including the US, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America. An additional four awards of up to $25,000 each will be available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with four more awards of the same amount available in the Asia-Pacific region.
Eligible applicants include full-time and part-time university faculty engaged in dental or scientific research at institutions where Invisalign treatment or iTero scanners are available. Applications will be evaluated by an independent academic committee, which will submit recommendations to Align Technology for final selection. First-time applications from university programs will receive consideration.
“The goal of the Align Research Award Program is to support innovative research that expands clinical knowledge, strengthens the evidence base for orthodontic and dental treatment, and ultimately contributes to better care and treatment outcomes for patients worldwide,” said Mitra Derakhshan, DDS, MD, Align executive vice president, chief clinical officer, global treatment planning and clinical services. “We are proud to support collaboration among researchers, educators, and industry through the Align Research Award Program to help advance the science of orthodontics and dentistry and improve patient care.”
According to Align Technology, its Research Award Program has provided approximately $4.16 million in funding since its establishment in 2010.
“By supporting university-led research, we are helping advance the scientific knowledge and evidence-based innovation that can improve clinical outcomes and patient care. Through the 2027 Align Research Award Program, we are proud to continue investing in faculty researchers around the world whose work is shaping the future of orthodontics and dentistry,” said John Morton, Align vice president, product innovation and technical fellow.
Align Technology develops and manufactures the Invisalign System of clear aligners, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontic and restorative dental workflows.
The research proposals and completed applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific Time on March 5, 2027. By June 7, 2027, award recipients will be notified.
More information is available at the application portals for the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
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