Align Technology extends research awards scheme into 2016

Align Technology has extended its funding for the Align Research Awards programme for an additional year.

The scheme is to be continued for a seventh consecutive year for universities in North America and for a sixth year for international universities. The annually-funded programme is designed to promote clinical and scientific dental research.

Awards for 2016 include four one-year awards of $25,000 (16,250 pounds) each for dental research at universities in North America and eight one-year awards of $25,000 each for dental research at universities overseas.

Additionally, there are five one-year awards of $5,000 each for intraoral scanner research at universities globally. As part of each of these awards, Align will either loan the recipient an iTero scanner for one year, or provide $10,000 credit towards the purchase of the scanner.

John Morton, director of research and technology and product innovation at Align Technology, said: "The great enthusiasm with which the Align Research Awards programme is received by universities worldwide is evidenced by the yearly increase in the number of applications received."

The firm recently reported a better-than-expected financial performance during the third quarter of 2015, thanks to the continued strong sales of its clear aligner products.