2026 ADA Dental Student Study Grants (First Nations) and (Hardship) open
- Grants and awards
Equipping the next generation of dentists is a key focus of the ADA, with these grants playing a key role in helping dentistry students achieve their career goals.
The 2026 ADA Dental Student Study Grants (First Nations) and (Hardship) are now open for applications from Australian citizens or permanent residents who are enrolled as full-time students in an Australian dental degree that qualifies them to practise as a dentist.
Students, who need to be ADA members (there is no cost for this; if not currently a member this must be done via the relevant ADA Branch prior to lodgment of the application), must currently be in at least the second year of their degree and are only eligible to receive two scholarships during their time at university.
This year, there are changes to the configuration of the grants with the following available:
• 5 x $5,000 First Nations grants
• 20 x $2,500 Hardship grants
Applications open Monday 2 February 2026 and close 11:59pm, Friday 3 April 2026.
ADA Dental Student Study Grants (First Nations)
This grant is designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who demonstrate a commitment and desire to contribute to the dental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities after they graduate.
Five ADA Dental Study Grants (First Nations) of $5,000 each are available in 2026.
ADA Dental Student Study Grants (Hardship)
The ADA will issue up to 20 grants worth $2,500 each to dental students who are experiencing hardship. Examples of hardship include, but are not limited to, caring for dependents or family members, residing in a rural or remote area for 5 years immediately prior to study, financial hardship, personal or family illness, disability, trauma, or you or your family are refugees.
This grant stream is an amalgamation of the previous Rural and Remote and Hardship scholarships.
Applicants will be judged based on answers to application questions regarding financial, accommodation and hardship circumstances.
Twenty ADA Dental Study Grants (Hardship) of $2,500 each are available in 2026.
Meet previous recipients of these grants:
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