Developmental Core B

PROJECT SUMMARY The Texas D-CFAR Developmental Core B will foster the development of HIV-related research at Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (TxBiomed) through investigator-initiated pilot project awards, career development mentoring, and support services for HIV investigators. Pilot project applications will be solicited in high-priority areas of HIV research. Applications will undergo rigorous peer review modeled after the NIH system. Pilot grant outcomes (e.g., publications, subsequent external funding) will be tracked for a minimum of 5 years. Developmental Core B will also support the Substance Use Scientific Working Group (SU-SWG) that addresses a critical research topic for people with HIV (PWH) in Texas. Developmental Core B will facilitate high priority areas of HIV research and SWG-targeted pilot project cycles, supplemented with generous institutional funds provided by Baylor, UTHealth, and TxBiomed. Infrastructure provided by Core B will also enable the D-CFAR to respond to NIH supplement opportunities. Developmental Core B will offer a uniquely comprehensive and proactive mentoring program focused on junior investigators applying for pilot project funding. A required Letter-of-Intent process will link junior investigators with a research mentor early in the pilot project grant writing process. The mentoring program will then facilitate the assembly of a mentor team consisting of three mentors—research, peer, and career—for each junior investigator applying for pilot project funding. Innovative plans will extend mentoring from the pilot award through the first NIH grant. Developmental Core B will sponsor an HIV Research Group meeting (HRGM) series, an AIDS Research Forum (ARF) series, and a Workshop in HIV series. Core B will also sponsor an Annual Texas D-CFAR Conference where HIV researchers throughout Texas will present their research, allowing investigators to receive critical input and establish new collaborations.