The EDIC Risk Leadership Scholarship Program
“Assessing risk. Defining the standard.
Preparing for practice.”
The EDIC Risk Leadership Scholarship Program supports incoming fourth‑year dental students enrolled in a U.S. based, accredited dental school within EDIC‑affiliated territories who demonstrate strong judgment, ethical decision-making, and an understanding of risk in clinical practice. Each year, ten students are selected to receive this scholarship in recognition of their ability to thoughtfully navigate real‑world professional challenges and lead with integrity.
The application cycle opens July 1 and closes September 30.
2026-2027 Application
Click above to start your application. Once your EDIC account has been created, you will be able to view the requirements, access the essay question, and complete the online application.
Each year, EDIC proudly awards $20,000 in scholarship funding through the Risk Leadership Scholarship Program as part of our commitment to giving back to future dental colleagues and supporting dental education. By investing directly in students, this program helps strengthen dental university programs while encouraging thoughtful, ethical, and risk-aware leadership in the next generation of practitioners.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be a U.S citizen enrolled as a full-time predoctoral student in an accredited dental school program in ASDA District 1, 2, 3, or 4. For current school list for these Districts, go to the ASDA Chapter Map.
- You must be a fourth-year dental student as of June of application year.
- You must be in good academic standing in your university program.
Application Requirements
The following items must be submitted no later than September 30th using the EDIC online application portal.
- Submit 800-1000 word essay on provided topic
- Submit faculty recommendation form (provided as pdf in portal)
- Provide proof of university enrollment (current class schedule or university ID with graduation date)
- Sign the AI Attestation and contact information acknowledgment
- Ensure your profile information is up-to-date in your EDIC portal
- Agree to the terms of use and the privacy policy.
EDIC SCHOLARSHIP FAQs
How do I access the EDIC portal to apply?
Create an EDIC account here. Once you have created a login and password you will be able to begin your scholarship application.
Who is eligible to apply?
- You must be a U.S citizen enrolled as a full-time predoctoral student in an accredited dental school program in ASDA District 1, 2, 3, or 4. For current school list for these Districts, go to the ASDA Chapter Map.
- You must be a fourth-year dental student as of June of application year.
- You must be in good academic standing in your university program.
Can students in residency or international programs apply for the scholarship?
At this time, eligibility is limited to full-time predoctoral dental students. Students in residency or international programs are not eligible to apply.
When is the application open and when does it close?
Application Time Frame
| July 1 – September 30 | Scholarship Application open |
| October 1-December 15 | Review/Judging |
| January 1-14 | Winners and University Dean office will be contacted by an EDIC representative |
| January 15 | All winners will be publicly announced on EDIC social media platforms |
| January 16 – 31 | Scholarships will be awarded by mail |
Who is reading and judging the applications? How are they scoring them?
A 100-point Rubric System is used.
Essays are scored using a standardized rubric focused on clinical accuracy, real-world application to patient care, clarity of professional communication, and technical writing quality.
The judging panel consists of dentists/dental educators.
What is the awarded prize?
(10) $2K scholarships will be awarded annually.
Why do you ask for a faculty recommendation?
A faculty recommendation is required to help verify that each applicant is currently enrolled in a predoctoral dental school program.
Why do I have to sign an AI use statement?
This scholarship evaluates applicants’ independent clinical reasoning, ethical judgment, and professional communication skills. To preserve fairness and ensure that all submissions represent original work, AI‑generated or AI‑assisted content is prohibited. The AI use statement confirms each applicant’s adherence to these standards and supports the integrity of the review process.
Can I start the online application and then go back to it later to finish?
Yes. Use your login and password for your EDIC portal account to access your application.
Once I hit submit, can I go into the portal to make any changes?
No. Once you click submit and your application enters review, you will not be able to make any further changes in the portal.
When will I be notified if I am selected for an award?
Scholarship winners will be announced to the public no later than January 15. The winner’s name and university will be shared across EDIC social media platforms as well as the recipient’s Dean’s Office.
Of the ten winning essays, at least one will be selected for publication on the EDIC website for educational and clinical purposes related to the topic, with the goal of supporting and educating future dental professionals.
Scholarships will be awarded by mail January 16-31.
