Rural Health
Funding by Topic: Dental workforce
Summaries of funding programs are provided by RHIhub for your convenience. Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information.
Destination Dental School Fellowship
Inactive
A gateway educational experience for undergraduate students and bachelor degree recipients who are interested in a career in dentistry. This program is designed to prepare individuals who have been underrepresented in the profession, including those from rural areas, to successfully apply to dental school.
A gateway educational experience for undergraduate students and bachelor degree recipients who are interested in a career in dentistry. This program is designed to prepare individuals who have been underrepresented in the profession, including those from rural areas, to successfully apply to dental school.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 16, 2026
Sponsors: State University of New York, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UBSDM)
Application Deadline: Feb 16, 2026
Sponsors: State University of New York, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UBSDM)
Minnesota Dentist Loan Forgiveness Program
Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for dental students, residents, and licensed dentists who plan to provide at least 25% of annual patient encounters to state public program enrollees and/or patients receiving a sliding fee schedule in Minnesota.
Loan repayment assistance for dental students, residents, and licensed dentists who plan to provide at least 25% of annual patient encounters to state public program enrollees and/or patients receiving a sliding fee schedule in Minnesota.
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Application Deadline: Jan 6, 2026
Sponsor: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Application Deadline: Jan 6, 2026
Sponsor: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Minnesota Rural Dental Therapist/Advanced Dental Therapist Loan Forgiveness Program
Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for final year dental therapist/advanced dental therapist (DT/ADT) students, or licensed DTs/ADTs who plan to practice or are currently practicing in a designated rural area of Minnesota.
Loan repayment assistance for final year dental therapist/advanced dental therapist (DT/ADT) students, or licensed DTs/ADTs who plan to practice or are currently practicing in a designated rural area of Minnesota.
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Application Deadline: Jan 6, 2026
Sponsor: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Application Deadline: Jan 6, 2026
Sponsor: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Minnesota Dental Foundation Grants
Inactive
Grants and in-kind services for outreach programs that provide dental services to underserved populations, promote dental health initiatives, and support dental profession career and volunteer opportunities in Minnesota.
Grants and in-kind services for outreach programs that provide dental services to underserved populations, promote dental health initiatives, and support dental profession career and volunteer opportunities in Minnesota.
Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Application Deadline: Dec 8, 2025
Sponsor: Minnesota Dental Association
Application Deadline: Dec 8, 2025
Sponsor: Minnesota Dental Association
University of Nebraska Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP)
Inactive
Scholarships and professional development opportunities for high school seniors from rural Nebraska who wish to practice in rural Nebraska following the completion of specific health professions educational programs.
Scholarships and professional development opportunities for high school seniors from rural Nebraska who wish to practice in rural Nebraska following the completion of specific health professions educational programs.
Geographic coverage: Nebraska
Application Deadline: Dec 1, 2025
Sponsors: University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Application Deadline: Dec 1, 2025
Sponsors: University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Illinois Dental, Pharmacy, and Behavioral Health/Social Work Scholarships for Rural Residents
Inactive
Spring semester 2026 scholarships for rural residents from Illinois that are attending dental school, pharmacy school, or a graduate level social work/behavioral health program and intend to practice in a rural setting after graduation.
Spring semester 2026 scholarships for rural residents from Illinois that are attending dental school, pharmacy school, or a graduate level social work/behavioral health program and intend to practice in a rural setting after graduation.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Application Deadline: Nov 30, 2025
Sponsor: Illinois Rural Health Association
Application Deadline: Nov 30, 2025
Sponsor: Illinois Rural Health Association
National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program
Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for medical, advanced practice nursing, physician assistant, and dental students who agree to provide services in eligible Health Professional Shortage Areas of greatest need.
Loan repayment assistance for medical, advanced practice nursing, physician assistant, and dental students who agree to provide services in eligible Health Professional Shortage Areas of greatest need.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Nov 6, 2025
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Application Deadline: Nov 6, 2025
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
SMILE Workforce Initiative Grant
Inactive
Grants for organizations throughout New Jersey and Connecticut that focus on addressing the dental workforce shortage.
Grants for organizations throughout New Jersey and Connecticut that focus on addressing the dental workforce shortage.
Geographic coverage: Connecticut and New Jersey
Application Deadline: Nov 5, 2025
Sponsor: Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Inc.
Application Deadline: Nov 5, 2025
Sponsor: Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Inc.
Missouri Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)
Inactive
Forgivable loans for the purpose of repaying educational loans for healthcare, mental health, and public health professionals, in exchange for a 2-year service obligation in an underserved area of Missouri.
Forgivable loans for the purpose of repaying educational loans for healthcare, mental health, and public health professionals, in exchange for a 2-year service obligation in an underserved area of Missouri.
Geographic coverage: Missouri
Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2025
Sponsor: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2025
Sponsor: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Missouri Health Professional Student Loan Repayment Program
Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians and dentists who agree to practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area of Missouri.
Loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians and dentists who agree to practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area of Missouri.
Geographic coverage: Missouri
Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2025
Sponsor: Missouri Office of Rural Health
Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2025
Sponsor: Missouri Office of Rural Health