ADEA COSRF 2026 Chapter Awards Application 

Use the link below to start a new application or to return to an application you already started. You may also click "Incomplete" in the left-hand menu panel to go to an existing application. You will be required to log into the system with your ADEA login credentials if you have not already done so.

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The ADEA Student Chapter Awards celebrate the creativity, leadership, and impact of student chapters across the country. These awards highlight chapters that demonstrate excellence in advancing oral health education, advocacy, innovation, and community engagement.

Through this application, chapters are invited to share their accomplishments and contributions from the past year. All applications will be considered for Chapter-Level Designation Awards (Bronze, Silver, or Gold).  Recognition is awarded at three levels—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—based on performance across four key areas:

• Programmatic Impact: Chapters earning top distinction host five or more events focused on oral health education, recruitment, or advocacy, with at least one initiative that is innovative or forward-looking. Silver-level chapters typically host three events incorporating themes of innovation, equity, or leadership, while Bronze-level chapters host at least one signature event that introduces members to equity, access, or academic dentistry.
• Community Engagement: Gold chapters collaborate with at least two other ADEA chapters to co-host three or more events, demonstrating strong advocacy, leadership, and shared impact. Silver-level chapters co-host two events and contribute consistently to advocacy or partnership initiatives, while Bronze-level chapters co-host one event to engage in cross-chapter collaboration.
• Leadership Presence: Gold chapters maintain frequent communication with their District Commissioner—at least six times throughout the year—to share updates, advocacy insights, and collaborative opportunities. Silver-level chapters communicate at least four times, and Bronze-level chapters engage at least twice annually.
• Visibility: Gold-level chapters maintain an active presence online, posting at least five times each on ADEA Connect and social media to showcase advocacy, innovation, and leadership. Silver chapters post at least three times on both platforms to share best practices and insights, while Bronze chapters post once on each platform to highlight key events and maintain basic visibility.

To be considered for Distinguished Awards (Innovation, Community Impact, Chapter Achievement, or Chapter of the Year), applicants must select the award in the applications. Applicants can choose to be considered for one or more Distinguished Award categories:

• Innovation Award – Honors a chapter that introduces bold, creative ideas that advance dental education and advocacy.
• Community Impact Award – Recognizes a chapter whose outreach and service initiatives make a measurable difference in communities.
• Chapter Achievement Award – Highlights a chapter’s significant contributions to oral health education and advocacy.
• ADEA Chapter of the Year Award – The highest honor, awarded to the chapter that exemplifies overall excellence in leadership, vision, and impact.

Chapters are encouraged to provide clear descriptions, measurable outcomes, and supporting evidence where applicable. Strong applications will highlight not only what was accomplished, but also why it mattered and how it will be sustained.

For any questions, visit the ADEA Student Hub, contact your respective District Commissioner, or email us at chapters@adea.org.