$10,000 Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award
(Female Applicants Only)
Applications open March 1 and closes midnight May 31
The Dr. Bessie Delaney Fellowship honors Dr. Annie Elizabeth “Bessie” Delaney (September 3, 1891 – September 25, 1995), a trailblazing dentist and civil rights advocate who dedicated her 27-year career to serving Harlem’s underserved communities, treating patients with dignity and compassion. This fellowship supports individuals pursuing advanced clinical training in the dental specialties or advanced studies in research, public health, administration, or law, with a demonstrated commitment to improving the oral health of African American communities. To learn more about Dr. Bessie Delaney’s extraordinary career and impact, click here.
This scholarship recognizes candidates committed to addressing health disparities, advocating equitable and compassionate care, and driving systemic change to improve oral health outcomes in systematically under-resourced communities of color. Applicants must be members of the National Dental Association (NDA) and embody its mission of advancing oral health equity and diversity within the dental profession. This award celebrates those who lead through innovation, expertise, and exceptional service, ensuring a healthier and more equitable future for underserved communities.
Dr. Barbara Clyburn
The 2024 Bessie Delaney Fellowship Awardee
Eligibility Requirements & Criteria
- Must be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent resident status.
- Must be a female post-doctoral candidate pursuing an advanced degree in a dental clinical specialty, research, public health, administration, or law.
- Must be an active member of the National Dental Association (NDA).
- Evidence of a commitment to improving the oral health of systematically under-resourced communities.
- Awardee must submit a quotation and 30-second video expressing their appreciation for the fellowship award within 30 days of notification. This content may be used on the NDAF website and other publications.
Application Requirements
Applicants must provide the following:
- Official dental school transcript
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Professional photo
- A letter of request for consideration that describes program you are entering and how the funds will be used.
- Written narrative (up to 500 words) detailing your professional aspirations, notable academic achievements, and why you believe you deserve this fellowship award.
- A letter of nomination from your Program Director
- The total cost of post-graduate program and stipend amount you will receive, if applicable
- Two letters of recommendation
- One of which must come from one of your current professors other than your Program Director
- Letters from family members, relatives, or students are not accepted
- Completed Photo and Video Release Form.
Dr. Annie Elizabeth “Bessie” Delaney (September 3, 1891 – September 25, 1995) was a pioneering dentist and civil rights advocate who devoted her 27-year career to serving underserved communities in Harlem, treating every patient with dignity and compassion. In 1923, she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Columbia University, becoming the only Black woman in her graduating class and just the second Black woman licensed to practice dentistry in New York State. Affectionately known as “Dr. Bessie,” she never raised her fees, offered countless free dental exams to children, and continued providing care to those unable to pay during the Great Depression.
Beyond her work in dentistry, Dr. Delaney was a dedicated civil rights champion. She took part in protests and marches, and her dental office often served as a meeting place for civil rights organizers. She adamantly opposed segregation laws and fought for equal rights for all people. At age 101, Dr. Delaney gained national attention through Having Our Say, a memoir by Amy Hill Hearth that chronicled her remarkable life story. In 1994, Columbia University’s School of Dental and Oral Surgery honored her with the Distinguished Alumna Award in recognition of her groundbreaking achievements as a minority woman in dentistry and her steadfast commitment to social justice and community service.