Scholarships & Grants

ODAF Scholarships

The 2026 scholarship application period is currently closed.

ODAF Grants

The 2026 grant proposal period is currently closed.

Foundation Scholarships

In 2026, 11 scholarships were awarded to dental students.

The Foundation awarded four memorial scholarships:

• The Darryl Dever & David Owsiany Advocacy Scholarship is awarded annually to one dental student who embodies the advocacy spirit of Darryl Dever, the ODA’s longtime lobbyist.
• The Dr. E. Karl Schneider II Humanitarian Scholarship is awarded annually starting in 2017 to one dental student who shows the highest commitment to improving the community through his or her humanitarian efforts.  Dr. Schneider was the ODA Foundation’s chairman when he passed away in 2017.
• The Dr. Kevin Laing Fund Scholarship is awarded to one student who comes from or intends to practice dentistry in a rural and/or underserved community.
• The Dr. James F. Mercer Leadership Scholarship is awarded to one student entering their fourth year of dental school at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in recognition of his or her leadership and accomplishments during their first three years of dental school and in the community. The award is given to honor the legacy of Dr. Mercer, who passed away in 2002, and left a legacy of commitment and service to others, after serving patients, organized dentistry and his community for decades.

Foundation Grant Recipients

2026 access to care grants were awarded to organizations which improve access to dental care in Ohio.

Grants Awarded to:

• Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
• Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland CAC
• Cincinnati Health Network
• Grace Clinics of Ohio
• Owens Community College Foundation
• Neighborhood Health Association
• MedWish MedWorks
• Viola Startzman Clinic
• Look Up Ministries
• Care Alliance Health Center