Training for Scientists Conducting Research to Reduce HIV/AIDS Health Disparities

ABSTRACT This application seeks continuation of funding for the program “Training for Scientists Conducting Research to Reduce HIV/AIDS Health Disparities” at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). This program addresses the urgent need to reduce HIV-related health disparities in the U.S. communities most affected by HIV. Our training program provides education and mentoring to early-career social and behavioral HIV researchers (hereafter Visiting Professors or VPs) who have demonstrated cultural expertise, a commitment to improving the health of communities affected by HIV, and are initiating innovative programs of research to advance the objectives of the Office of AIDS Research Annual Strategic Plan and program priorities of the NIMH Division of AIDS Research (DAR). The aims of this five-year project are to: (1) Support VPs in refining innovative ideas, concepts, and theories into clearly articulated and rigorous HIV health disparities research with HIV-impacted communities; (2) Fund an individualized applied research experience (ARE) to accelerate VPs’ research programs and generate findings to be used as preliminary data in NIH grant proposals; (3) Provide education and mentoring to VPs in the conceptualization, writing, submission, revision, and resubmission of NIH research proposals through use of an individual development plan (IDP), mentoring meetings, seminars, webinars, writing retreats, and peer networking; and (4) Provide ongoing individualized assistance and mentoring focused on research and career development through peer reviews and consultations to VPs who have completed the program. We will accomplish these aims through a research education and mentoring program at UCSF’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS). The centerpiece of the proposed program is a summer training institute in which VPs, who have not yet obtained R01-level funding, participate intensively over a three-year period. Each VP is in residence at CAPS for six weeks for three consecutive summers. In the first summer, the training institute helps VPs develop their ideas into feasible programs of research so that they are poised to implement an applied research experience over the next year. During the second summer, VPs begin an NIH grant proposal, incorporating results gleaned from their program-funded applied research experience. Following the second summer, they finalize their grant proposal and submit it to NIH. In the third summer, they revise and resubmit their proposals to NIH. The activities are additionally enhanced through webinars and meetings with faculty mentors scheduled during the academic year. Alumni receive additional support to remain in the HIV research pipeline through alumni peer reviews, writing retreats, and participation as alumni experts in the summer institutes. The proposed program is well positioned to leverage CAPS’s unique environment to provide tailored research education and mentoring in social/behavioral HIV research, assist program participants to become successful independent investigators, and simultaneously increase the diversity of HIV scientists.