The International Orthodontics Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £43,080 (FY 2025)
• Success Rate: 28% (39 funded out of 140 applications since 2022)
• Decision Time: Several months
• Grant Range: £11,500 - £77,000 (USD $15,000 - $100,000)
• Geographic Focus: International (no geographical restrictions)

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.iofglobal.org
• Research Grants Portal: https://researchgrants.iofglobal.org
• Email: info@iofglobal.org
• Phone: 020 7299 1400
• Charity Number: 1169597

Overview

The International Orthodontics Foundation (IOF) is a UK-registered charity (registered 2016) that operates as a not-for-profit platform for international collaborative innovation in orthodontics. Co-founded by CareCapital Group and more than 10 leading global experts, IOF has provided research grants and scholarships annually since 2022. With total expenditure of £25,501 in FY 2025, the foundation makes grants to individuals and organizations supporting charitable objectives and provides direct expenditure for dental care in overseas countries where need is most acute. Since launching its research grants program in 2022, IOF has attracted 140 applications from across continents and funded 39 outstanding proposals. The foundation emphasizes innovative, evidence-based research that connects scientific discoveries with clinical applications in orthodontics.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Historical Grant Structure (2022-2023):

• Young Research Grant: USD $15,000 per year (eligible for second-year renewal for additional $15,000) - For postgraduate students, residents, attending physicians, assistant professors and similar qualifications
• Elite Research Grant: USD $30,000 per year (eligible for second-year renewal for additional $30,000) - For associate professors, professors and similar qualifications
• Clinical Research Grant: USD $100,000 (eligible for third-year renewal for additional $30,000) - For clinical research teams planning to publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals

Current Grant Structure (2024 onwards):

• Emerging Innovation Grants (EIG): Two categories of one-year seed funding (Early-Stage and Mid-Level), amounts not publicly specified
• Advanced Innovation Grants (AIG): Supports larger-scale, multicenter research projects beyond early stages, amounts not publicly specified

All applications submitted through online portal at researchgrants.iofglobal.org on an annual cycle.

Priority Areas

• Digital orthodontics
• Biomechanics research
• Gene therapy applications
• Artificial Intelligence applications in orthodontics
• Innovative, translational research with clinical applications
• Research connecting scientific discoveries with clinical practice
• Projects with strong potential for real-world implementation and impact

Key Focus: IOF prioritizes innovation and real-world impact over academic credentials. The grants are open to researchers, engineers, and medical professionals beyond the field of orthodontics, though non-dental applicants must collaborate with an orthodontist, and all projects must be clinically relevant to orthodontics.

What They Don't Fund

Information not publicly available regarding specific exclusions.

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Governance and Leadership

Governance Structure:

• 2 Trustees (no trustees receive remuneration or benefits)
• Independent Board (responsible for electing chairperson and executive directors)
• Founding Committee (defines IOF strategy and sets short-term and long-term goals)
• Science Committee with 18 thought leaders (reviews all applications)

Executive Leadership:

• Dr. Kang Ting (DMD, DMEDSC) - Executive Director of IOF and Co-chair of IOF Science Committee; Adjunct Faculty, ADA Forsyth Institute
• Dr. Peter Ngan (D.M.D.) - Executive Director of IOF; Branson-Maddrell Endowed Professor, West Virginia University
• Mr. Donald Huang - Co-chairman of the Board; Partner and Managing Director of CareCapital Group

Founding Committee Members:

• Prof. Ravindra Nanda (BDS, MDS, PhD) - Emeritus Editor-in-Chief, Progress in Orthodontics; Emeritus Professor, UConn Health; Adjunct Faculty, ADA Forsyth Institute
• Prof. Zhihe Zhao - Co-chair of IOF Founding Committee; Professor, Chief Physician, PhD Supervisor; West China School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University
• Prof. Ching-Chang Ko (DDS, MS, PhD) - Co-chair of IOF Science Committee; Chair of Orthodontics, Ohio State University
• Prof. Conchita Martin (DDS, PhD) - Professor of Orthodontics and Research Methodology; Universidad Complutense of Madrid
• Prof. Theodore Eliades (DDS, MS, MSc, PhD, DSc) - Professor and Director; Clinic of Orthodontics, University of Zurich
• Prof. Bin Cai - Former Director of Orthodontics; Professor, Chief Physician; Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the IOF online portal at researchgrants.iofglobal.org. The foundation operates an annual application cycle with fixed deadlines. Recent application deadline was October 31, 2024.

Application Requirements:

• Online submission through dedicated research grants portal
• Applications reviewed by IOF Science Committee composed of eminent international scholars
• Rigorous, fair, and professional review process taking several months
• No geographical restrictions - open to all eligible applicants globally

Decision Timeline

Based on 2022-2023 cycle data:

• Applications typically open in mid-year (June)
• Application deadline: Late October/early November
• Review process: Several months of rigorous evaluation by Science Committee
• Final decisions announced: Approximately 3-4 months after deadline (February-March)
• Total timeline: Approximately 8 months from application opening to final announcement

Success Rates

Overall Program Statistics:

• 140 applications received from across continents
• 39 proposals funded
• Success rate: 28%

First Year (2022-2023):

• 64+ applications received from 10 countries (Asia, North America, Europe, South America)
• 10+ finalists selected for funding
• Success rate: Approximately 15-20%

Applications have come from over 20 countries and more than 20 universities and research institutions worldwide, with over half of applications coming from associate professors.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply with the same project, but must make appropriate and major changes to the proposal. Individual researchers and research teams can apply for grants once per year.

Successful grant recipients can resubmit for additional funding:

• Young Research Grant: Eligible for second-year renewal (additional $15,000)
• Elite Research Grant: Eligible for second-year renewal (additional $30,000)
• Clinical Research Grant: Eligible for third-year renewal (additional $30,000)

Application Success Factors

What IOF Prioritizes:

• Innovation over credentials: The foundation explicitly states that grants “prioritize innovation and real-world impact over academic credentials”
• Clinical relevance: All projects must be clinically relevant to orthodontics
• Translational research: Strong emphasis on research that connects scientific discoveries with clinical applications
• Implementation potential: Projects should have “strong potential for implementation and real-world impact”
• Forward-looking focus: Priority given to emerging fields such as digital orthodontics, biomechanics, gene therapy, and AI applications

Interdisciplinary Approach Welcome:

• Applications open to researchers, engineers, and medical professionals beyond orthodontics
• Non-dental applicants must collaborate with an orthodontist
• Foundation values collaborative innovation across disciplines and regions

Publication Plans:

• Clinical Research Grant specifically targets teams that “intend to publish regularly in peer-reviewed academic journals”
• Demonstrated professional achievements strengthen applications

Global Perspective:

• No geographical restrictions
• Committee evaluates applications from across continents
• Foundation values international collaborative innovation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasize innovation and real-world impact - IOF explicitly values these over academic credentials alone, making this a unique opportunity for emerging researchers with strong ideas
• Focus on translational potential - Clearly articulate how your research will connect scientific discoveries with clinical applications in orthodontics
• Highlight interdisciplinary collaboration - If you're from outside orthodontics, demonstrate your partnership with an orthodontist and emphasize how diverse expertise strengthens the project
• Target forward-looking fields - Projects in digital orthodontics, biomechanics, gene therapy, or AI applications align with IOF's stated priorities
• Plan for a lengthy review process - Allow approximately 8 months from application opening to decision, with several months of rigorous committee evaluation
• Consider reapplication seriously - With a 28% success rate and allowance for reapplication with major revisions, unsuccessful applicants should view feedback as an opportunity to strengthen proposals
• Think internationally - IOF operates without geographical restrictions and values global collaborative innovation, so international partnerships strengthen applications

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Osteopathic Foundation
• SIGHT RESEARCH UK
• Wings for Life UK Spinal Cord Research Foundation
• Brain Research UK
• International Spinal Research Trust
• Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK Limited
• Rosetrees Trust
• THE OVE ARUP FOUNDATION
• British Orthopaedic Association
• Epilepsy Research Institute UK

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales. (2025). “THE INTERNATIONAL ORTHODONTICS FOUNDATION - Charity 1169597.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5085457
• IOF International Orthodontics Foundation. (2025). “Home.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://www.iofglobal.org/
• IOF International Orthodontics Foundation. (2025). “Research Grants.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://researchgrants.iofglobal.org
• IOF International Orthodontics Foundation. (2025). “Founding Committee.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://www.iofglobal.org/founding/commitee
• GlobeNewswire. (2023). “IOF Research Grants Aim to Enhance Clinical Transformation: Reviews Completed.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/03/27/2635150/0/en/IOF-Research-Grants-Aim-to-Enhance-Clinical-Transformation-Reviews-Completed.html
• GlobeNewswire. (2025). “More Than a Symposium: IOF Builds Momentum Toward the Future of Orthodontics.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/04/3093279/0/en/More-Than-a-Symposium-IOF-Builds-Momentum-Toward-the-Future-of-Orthodontics.html
• Charity Choice. (2025). “The International Orthodontics Foundation.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-international-wrthodontics-foundation-255337
• Forsyth Institute. (2025). “Forsyth and IOF Team Up to Advance Orthodontics Education and Innovation Globally.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://forsyth.org/forsyth-and-iof-team-up-to-advance-orthodontics-education-and-innovation-globally/
• Funds for Individuals. (2024). “Apply for IOF Research Grants Program.” Retrieved December 8, 2025, from https://fundsforindividuals.fundsforngos.org/grants/apply-for-iof-research-grants-program/