Align Technology, the medical device company behind Invisalign clear aligners, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, has announced the opening of its 2026 Annual Research Award Programme to support clinical and scientific dental research in universities across the globe. This year, up to US$300,000 will be awarded to university faculty for scientific and technological research initiatives to advance patient care in the fields of orthodontics and dentistry. Align Technology’s Research Award Programme has funded approximately US$3.96 million in research since the program’s inception in 2010.
“Each year, we’re inspired by the innovative research proposals submitted by university faculty around the world to advance digital orthodontics and dentistry through science-backed innovation that improves patient care,” said Dr. Mitra Derakhshan, Align executive vice president, chief clinical officer, global treatment planning and clinical services. “The awarded research projects that are supported through our Align Research Award Programme help uncover insights that directly impact treatment outcomes and elevate the standard of care in orthodontics and dentistry.”
“We believe that empowering the academic community through this funding program is essential to advance knowledge that will drive progress in dentistry to help more doctors achieve better clinical outcomes for their patients. Through this program, we continue to support the vision and research efforts of the expert faculty members around the globe,” said John Morton, Align vice president, product innovation and technical fellow.
Whilst Dr Carla Rangel Mindiola, Director Clinical Relations and IPL Treatment Planning, EMEA, added: “At Align Technology, we believe in advancing orthodontics and dentistry through quality clinical education and innovations.”
Awards available for dental research at universities are available in the following regions:
- Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America): Four one-year awards of up to US$25,000 each
- EMEA: Four one-year awards of up to US$25,000 each
- APAC: Four one-year awards of up to US$25,000 each
Eligible applicants for dental research awards include full-time and part-time faculty involved in dental or scientific research at universities where Invisalign® treatment or the iTero™ scanner is available. All applications are reviewed by an independent academic committee that forwards its recommendations to Align for final selection. Consideration will be given to first-time applications from a university program. Program details, instructions, and application forms for prospective applicants can be found at https://learn.aligntech.com/pages/61/resources (for Americas, EMEA and APAC applicants). Research proposals and completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on March 6, 2026. Award recipients will be notified by June 1, 2026.
