Ukraine HIV Research Training Program

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The New York State International Training and Research Program (NYS-ITRP) proposes to continue its HIV Research Training Program in Ukraine, through partnering with the School of Public Health of National Ukraine Kyiv-Mohyla Academy School of Public Health (SPH NaUKMA) and the Ukrainian Institute for Public Health Policy (UIPHP) in Kyiv. The long-term goal will address humanitarian crisis sparked by the Russian invasion through a linked partnership with Ukraine’s leading academic public health training institution and a research-focused nongovernmental organization. While NYS-ITRP investments have strengthened the ability of Ukraine to respond to the HIV epidemic, the disruption of the war presents new challenges. Utilizing the advanced studies in population-based topics and implementation science, we will address Ukraine’s HIV delivery needs in a time of crisis. Proposed objectives include providing: 1) HIV Research Fellowship to 6 students, composed of in-person training, a NYSDOH AIDS Institute internship and opportunities for post-training mentorship and/or research awards.; 2) provide advanced degree training (MS) in epidemiology for 3 early career investigators which culminates in an HIV-focused thesis; 3) provide three scientific writing workshops to 85 participants, with HIV Research Symposia in Years 1 and 5, and a scientific writing workshop in Year 4; 4) build research training capacity at SPH NaUKMA through revising their core curricula and adding coursework in implementation science, addiction, and qualitative research. Linked with post- training mentorships, the program provides short- and long-term training modalities designed to provide the maximum, cost-effective training coverage for individual trainees and expand research training at NaUKMA given the exigencies of the ongoing conflict. NYS-TIRP will strengthen its previous investments in public health training and capacity-building at NaUKMA. taking advantage of its unique in-country research assets (including an extensive research portfolio by alumni trainees). All training is designed to bolster research capacity focused on implementation science in response to the war and to enhance the role of NaUKMA as a national leader in HIV-related research training. Measures to demonstrate increased capacity include assessment of academic and research progress of trainees; advanced in-country research awards; and SPH NaUKMA curricula review and development.