The Delta Dental Future Workforce Fund, launched in 2023 by the Delta Dental Institute, invests up to $1 million annually in initiatives aimed at building a more diverse and robust future oral health workforce. The Fund supports comprehensive solutions, innovative pilot programs, and scalable models designed to inspire school-aged children from a variety of backgrounds to consider careers in oral health fields. Careers of interest include dentists, orthodontists, hygienists, technicians, and other oral health specialists.

The Fund specifically seeks to address challenges related to the lack of awareness and the shortage of candidates pursuing careers in oral health. It invites submissions that propose new solutions or demonstrate how existing programs could be scaled nationally to have a broader impact. Applicants must clearly outline how their proposals will foster interest in oral health careers among young students and detail strategies for program growth or national scalability.

Eligible applicants include US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, private businesses such as corporations, limited or general partnerships, and non-profit educational, government, and tribal entities. Ineligible applicants include individuals, non-US entities, Delta Dental member companies, and their staff. Past applicants and past awardees are welcome to reapply if they meet the current eligibility requirements.

Applications for the 2025 cycle open on April 16, 2025, and are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 11, 2025. Applicants may save and resume their submissions and are permitted to upload attachments and supporting documents. Award decisions will be based on application merit, organizational needs, and the number of applications submitted. Notifications and further information will be communicated following the submission of an application.

Evaluation of proposals will be conducted by subject matter experts from across the country with deep expertise in oral health and workforce development. The 2024 awards distributed $980,000 among six recipients, and the evaluation and award distribution process for 2025 will follow a similar model. Questions about the application process can be directed to info@deltadentalinstitute.com.