New Jersey Dental Foundation (NJDF)
Grant and Scholarships
Funding Criteria and Applications
Mission Statement
The New Jersey Dental Foundation is established to improve and advance the oral health of all New Jerseyans and enhance the dental profession in New Jersey.
Funding Criteria
● All grant and program recommendations and decisions shall be evaluated against the mission of the NJDF.
● NJDF invests in small, high-impact grants, scholarships, and fellowships that improve oral health, expand access to care, and support the next generation of dental professionals in New Jersey.
● Funding shall be designated in a transparent and fair way, with a focus on improving oral health across New Jersey.
Year 1 Pilot Year NJDF Grant, Scholarship, Fellowship, and Sponsorship Funding Priorities
a. Oral Health Education & Community Outreach
b. Access to Care through Micro-Impact Initiatives for underserved populations, prioritizing a link to a Dental Home for continuity of care
c. Scholarships & Workforce Support for individuals entering the dental field through all allied health dental professionals
d. Fellowships for continuing dental education
Note: Research grants will be considered in future years as funding capacity grows.
Application cycles
a. Application announcement: April 1
b. Application portal opens: May 1
c. Application due date: June 15
d. Decisions announced: August 1-August 15
e. Funds disbursed: September 1
f. Funding Year: September 1-August 31
g. Final reports due September 30 of the following year or within 30 days of the end of a project
● Applications will be accepted during the grant cycle, with separate tracks (portal entries) for program grants, scholarships, fellowships, and sponsorships.
● No unsolicited applications.
NJDF Year 1 Funding Award Levels
NJDF Grants, Scholarships, Fellowships, and Sponsorships amounts will be decided on a case-by-case basis
NJDF Grant and Sponsorship Funding Review Process
a. Applications are reviewed by staff for completeness
b. Eligible applications are reviewed and scored by the Programs & Grants Committee, requiring a simple majority vote
c. Advanced applications are presented to the NJDF Board of Trustees by the Programs and Grants Committee
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
a. Geography: NJ based organizations, students, and programs
b. Grant requests will be considered from IRS designation 501(c)3 and 501c(4)
Evaluation Criteria
Due to the high volume of grant, scholarship, fellowship, and sponsorship inquiries received, applications are evaluated on a competitive basis according to the criteria below. The NJDF funds programs with a strong impact and measurable outcomes within the funding priorities set forth by the Board of Trustees.
a. Alignment with NJDF mission
b. Alignment with funding priorities
c. Demonstrates need
d. Feasibility within a small budget
e. Clearly outlined goals and objectives
f. Anticipated impact
g. Ability to report outcomes
h. Organizational and programmatic requirements met
