NZDA-Clare Foundation Oral Health Education Grants

NZDA-Clare Foundation Oral Health Education Grants

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA), in partnership with the Clare Foundation, has launched the NZDA-Clare Foundation Oral Health Education Grants.

These grants provide funding for community-based oral health education projects that:

• Improve oral health literacy
• Reduce inequities in access to oral health education
• Empower communities to make informed oral health choices

The grants are designed to support locally led, culturally responsive, and sustainable education projects delivered by NZDA member dentists, in collaboration with oral health professionals, and community partners.

• Funding Available: 5 x $3,000 grants and 1 x $10,000 grant
• Application Period: 3 November 2025 to the 15 February 2026
• Project Utilisation Period: March to 30 June 2026
• Final Report Due: 31 July 2026

This programme builds on NZDA’s long-standing commitment to community service and reflects the Clare Foundation’s vision of creating lasting change.

About the Grants

1. $3,000 Community Oral Health Education Grant
Supports small-scale, community-based projects that deliver oral health education within a single school, organisation, or local community. Enables grassroots initiatives that directly improve oral health knowledge and behaviours in a targeted setting.

2. $10,000 Principles in Action (PIA) Grants
Supports larger-scale projects with the potential for regional or national impact. Projects must prioritise equity by focusing on Māori, Pasifika, disabled, and low-income communities, and demonstrate alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Applications for this (PIA) grant are assessed against six key criteria:

• Equity & Te Tiriti Alignment – clear focus on priority communities and partnership approaches
• Transformative Impact – capacity to create lasting change in oral health outcomes and behaviours
• Innovation – creative and culturally responsive approaches
• Sustainability – plan for continuation beyond initial funding
• Scalability – potential to expand across multiple settings with wider application
• Evaluation & Outcomes – clear objectives and framework for measuring success

Contact Anishma Ram for further information.