Craniofacial Anomalies and Special Care Training Award (AAO)

About this program

American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) offers the Craniofacial Anomalies and Special Care Training Award, a competitive $30,000 fellowship to reduce student debt and encourage careers in craniofacial anomalies and special care orthodontic education for individuals enrolled full‑time in a CODA‑accredited U.S. or Canadian Craniofacial Anomalies and Special Care program. Eligible applicants must be AAO members who graduated from a U.S. or Canadian ADA‑accredited orthodontic program and be U.S. or Canadian citizens (or actively pursuing citizenship), with preference for ABO‑certified candidates or those pursuing ABO certification; no program may receive more than one award per year and individuals may receive the award only once. Recipients receive direct payments (no indirect costs) and must commit to a minimum of two years of full‑time teaching beginning within three months of completing training—failure to meet this obligation requires pro rata repayment plus 15% interest. Complete online applications (application form, official transcripts, CV, narrative, institutional letter of support, minimum one letter of recommendation from chair/program director, verification of citizenship, and signed award agreement if approved) must be submitted by February 1; awards are made competitively if requests exceed available funds.