Enabling research and innovation

In 2010, Align Technology began the Research Award Program with the goal to support clinical and scientific orthodontic and dental research in universities across the globe. Since its inception in 2010, we have funded over $2.0approximately $2.7 million in research awards. Research has provided insights into various areas including tooth movement efficacy with clear aligner therapy, oral hygiene and microbial bacteria presence or absence with clear aligners, and comparisons in quality of life with aligners as compared to fixed appliances.

Each year, awards are made available for dental research at universities across the globe. All applications are reviewed by an independent academic committee that forwards its recommendations to Align Technology for final selection.

The 2023 grant application process is now open, where up to $300,000 in funding will be awarded to university faculty for scientific and technological research initiatives to advance patient care in the fields of orthodontics and dentistry.

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.invisalign.com/research-awards-landing-page (for Americas, EMEA and APAC applicants). Research proposals and completed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on March 3, 2023. Award recipients will be notified by June 5, 2023.