ADEA/Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc./National Dental Association Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Scholar in the ADEA Leadership Institute

Eligibility Requirements

An Applicant must be an ADEA Individual Member.

Applicants are encouraged to also hold membership in the National Dental Association.

This scholarship honors ADEA and the NDA’s longstanding efforts to expand educational and professional opportunities, improving oral health in all communities, and support the next generation of dental professionals. Consistent with their missions, membership in the sponsoring organizations and consideration for this scholarship are open to all qualified individuals.

The recipient of the scholarship must have submitted the ADEA Leadership Institute’s application materials by the application deadline, be selected to attend the ADEA Leadership Institute and have their dean or program director’s support to cover any costs of the ADEA Leadership Institute above the amount of the award.

ADEA will consider the following:

• Demonstrated leadership experience;
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing access to oral health, as evidence by scholarship, research or other initiatives that examine and address disparities in oral health outcomes, with a focus on medically underserved populations and communities; and
• Record of mentorship and fostering welcoming learning environments.
  

Application Process Checklist

Using the ADEA online application process, applicants must submit an application by Sept. 10, 2026 for the ADEA Leadership Institute and indicate an interest in being selected as the ADEA/Colgate-Palmolive Co./National Dental Association Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Scholar in the ADEA Leadership Institute.

The ADEA Leadership Institute application requires the following:

1. Two letters of recommendation from professional colleagues.
2. A letter of recommendation from the dean of the applicant’s dental school or the program director of his or her allied dental education program, stating how the applicant’s participation will benefit the applicant, the institution and dental education.
3. A current curriculum vitae.
4. A personal statement (no more than 500 words) describing your leadership, mentorship and commitment to advancing access to oral health through research and/or initiatives to address disparities in oral health outcomes, with a focus on medically underserved populations and communities.

Your application to this scholarship will use the information in your ADEA profile. Please ensure your profile is updated by going to adea.org/myadea.

The dean of the applicant’s dental school or the program director of his or her allied dental education program agrees to pay the fellow’s full salary and benefits during the scholarship year and to support the fellow’s travel and personal expenses associated with participation in the ADEA Leadership Institute, including airfare, ground transportation, lodging and meals.

De-identified applicant information will be used to improve scholarships at ADEA and may be published. Identified information (e.g., biographies) of successful winners will be published on the ADEA website, shared with your home institution, and may be used in ADEA promotional material. By applying to this scholarship, you agree that you have read and understand how your information could be used.

Application Deadline

All application materials must be received by Sept. 10, 2026.

Notification Date and Award Announcement

Scholarship recipients and applicants not receiving awards will be notified by December 2026. Awards will be announced during the 2027 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition, March 13–16, 2027, in Chicago, IL.