Minnesota dental, oral and craniofacial training in research

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research awarded the Regents of the University of Minnesota $405,911 on July 1, 2026, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121) to support the Minnesota Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Training in Research (MN-DOCTR) T32 Project Grant.

The award funds a five-year trainee support program designed to educate the next generation of independent investigators in craniofacial, oral health, and dental research. The University of Minnesota will support six trainees annually—two predoctoral students, two DDS/PhD dual-degree candidates, and two postdoctoral fellows—through mentored research spanning five key areas: biomaterials and tissue engineering, epithelial biology and carcinogenesis, microbiology and immunology, orofacial neuroscience, and craniofacial and bone biology. Trainees receive comprehensive guidance in basic science research, bioinformatics, grant writing, and career planning. The program's objectives include exposing trainees to specialized topics in oral biology and craniofacial research, teaching techniques for analyzing large datasets, providing instruction in research ethics and reproducibility, developing skills for establishing independent research programs, and offering networking and career development opportunities. The overarching goal is to cultivate investigators who advance understanding of craniofacial conditions and develop new treatments and diagnostic tools.

Performance of work occurs in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The five-year period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

Abstract

The minnesota dental, oral and craniofacial training in research (MN-doctr) T32 program is designed to educate the next generation of independent investigators in craniofacial, oral health, and dental research. Leveraging the broad resources of the university of minnesota, the program unites faculty mentors from across campus to train predoctoral students, DDS/PHD dual-degree candidates and postdoctoral fellows. The program's mission is twofold:1) to immerse trainees in innovative, mentored research that is foundational to oral biology and human health, and 2) to support translational research that pushes the boundaries of craniofacial, dental, and oral sciences. Trainees work closely with experienced, well-supported mentors in five key research areas: biomaterials and tissue engineering, epithelial biology and carcinogenesis, microbiology and immunology, orofacial neuroscience and craniofacial and bone biology. Trainees receive comprehensive guidance in basic science research, bioinformatics concepts, grant writing, and career planning. The overarching goal of the MN-doctr T32 program is to cultivate investigators who will advance our understanding of craniofacial conditions and develop new treatments and diagnostic tools-laying the foundation for impactful careers in craniofacial and oral biology research. The program's specific training objectives include exposing trainees to specialized topics in oral biology and craniofacial research, teaching techniques for analyzing large datasets, providing instruction in research ethics and reproducibility, developing skills for establishing independent research programs and offering robust networking and career development opportunities. To support this mission, we are requesting funding for six trainees annually-two predoctoral students, two DDS/PHD candidates, and two postdoctoral fellows-over the next five-year funding cycle.