and Temporomandibular Disorders
Background and Rationale
The Asian Academy of Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders (AAOT) has played a pivotal role in advancing research, education, and clinical excellence in the field of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders across Asia. To ensure the continued growth and sustainability of this field, it is essential to actively support and recognize early-career researchers who demonstrate strong potential for academic and scientific leadership in the future.
Young investigators often face significant challenges during the early stages of their careers, including limited funding opportunities and reduced visibility of their work. Establishing a dedicated award will provide recognition, encouragement, and tangible support, thereby fostering high-quality research and long-term engagement with AAOT.
Purpose of the Award
- Encourage high-quality research in orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders
- Recognize outstanding scientific contributions by early-career investigators
- Promote continued academic involvement and leadership within AAOT
- Enhance the visibility of emerging researchers in the Asian region
- Demonstrate institutional commitment to nurturing early-career researchers
- Strengthen AAOT’s long-term academic leadership and visibility
- Strengthen AAOT’s commitment to academic excellence and mentorship
- Cultivate the next generation of leaders in orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders
- Enhance the international reputation and academic influence of AAOT
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be within 5 years of receiving their final academic degree (e.g., PhD, DDS, MD, or equivalent) at the time of application
- Be actively involved in research related to orofacial pain and/or temporomandibular disorders
- Be a current member of AAOT (or apply for membership concurrently, if applicable)
- Submit original research work that has been published within a defined recent period (1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025)
- Submit only one application, involving all relevant papers, per person.
- Be the first or corresponding author on the submitted publications.
- Papers should be published or accepted for publication in the civil year prior to the year of application submission (i.e., 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025).
- Papers should be published in a SCIE-indexed journal.
Along with the list of papers and manuscript files, the applicant must submit:
- A CV synopsis (up to 250 words including name and details on career stage and research achievements).
- An explanation of how the work enhances the knowledge of orofacial pain and TMD (up to 350 words).
- A description of the applicant's personal contribution to the paper (up to 250 words).
- If the applicant has already obtained their degree, confirmation of the date the degree was awarded is needed.
Award Details
- Award Title: AAOT Young Investigator Award
- Number of Awards: Two annually (One recipient from clinical research and one from basic research unless otherwise decided)
- In the absence of a suitable candidate, the award shall not be conferred for that year.
- Monetary Prize: USD 1,000
- Additional Recognition:
- - Certificate of Award
- - Formal announcement at the AAOT annual meeting and on official AAOT website
- - Opportunity to give an oral presentation of their research at the subsequent AAOT annual meeting.
Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed by a designated AAOT Award Committee, appointed by the AAOT Executive Board
- Additional Recognition:
- - Scientific originality and rigor
- - Relevance to orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders
- - Impact and potential contribution to the field
- - Applicant’s role and independence in the research
- Final approval of the award recipient will be made by the AAOT Executive Board upon committee recommendation
AAOT Award Committee
Chair: Vice president
Secretary: Secretary General
Committee members: Country Representatives
Scoring protocol
Sum of number of paper* JCR impact factor (80%) + Qualitative assessment by the committee (20%)
Award Presentation
The AAOT Young Investigator Award will be formally presented during the AAOT Annual Meeting.
Email address
ankara01@snu.ac.kr
Submission Deadline
30th June, 2026
