Developmental Core

The mission of the Developmental Core is to advance a robust HIV research agenda by investing in Third Coast CFAR members and institutions. The Core provides funding and mentorship to early career investigators, established investigators new to HIV research, and community partners.

Funding Opportunities

Third Coast CFAR funding is targeted towards early career investigators, those new to HIV research, or new trans-disciplinary collaborations that may lead to NIH funding. Pilot awards support faculty who have not yet had an R01 or equivalent NIH grant for HIV research. Special mechanisms support collaborations with community partners and dissemination of HIV research.

Pilot Awards

Pilot awards are intended for key preliminary studies that will enable new NIH grant submissions. Third Coast CFAR faculty members who have not yet led an R01 or equivalent NIH grant for HIV research are eligible. Apply for a Pilot Award.

Core Subsidy Awards

The goal of this award mechanism is to support time-sensitive opportunities where a small amount of funding will allow data collection or preliminary data to enhance or accelerate an NIH grant application. See additional information about Core Subsidy Awards.

Community Dissemination Awards

These awards support engagement between investigators and community members and dissemination of research findings. Creative approaches for achieving these aims are encouraged. Learn more about Community Dissemination Awards.

Community Collaborative Awards

These funds invest in the development of new collaborations between university-based investigators and community partners. Applications are accepted annually. Apply for a Community Collaborative Award.

CFAR Administrative Supplements

Periodically, NIH releases a limited call for short-term projects that are funded via supplement to the NIH P30 center grant that supports the CFAR. Topics are chosen to address emerging issues or areas of research and are administratively reviewed at NIH. Learn more about CFAR administrative supplements.

Ending the HIV Epidemic Supplements

To support the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative, NIH offers supplemental funds through the CFAR P30 grant for implementation research led by faculty and community- or health department-based partners. Projects are typically one to two years. Learn more about EHE supplement projects.

Basic Science Collaborative Innovation Awards

In 2021, the Developmental Core piloted a new internal mechanism to support new collaborative research in HIV biology and pathogenesis. These short-term projects are co-led by two or more faculty from different disciplines. Learn more about Basic Science Collaborative Awards.

Ending the HIV Epidemic SWG Planning Awards

Ending the HIV Epidemic Scientific Working Group (EHE SWG) Planning Awards support the development of new collaborations between academic and community-based members of the EHE SWG. Awardees plan future proposals to NIH or the Developmental Core to lead collaborative implementation research projects in high priority EHE jurisdictions. Learn more about EHE SWG Planning Awards.

CFAR Supplemental Funds Due to COVID-19

As part of the Third Coast CFAR’s commitment to supporting investigators pursuing HIV research grants from the NIH, the Developmental Core solicited applications for a one-time competition to add funds to CFAR awards that were adversely impacted by COVID-19. View the awardees.

Leadership

Elena Martinelli, PhD, MPH
Developmental Core Director
Northwestern University

Sybil Hosek, PhD
Developmental Core Co-Director
University of Illinois at Chicago

Ali Keshavarzian, MD
Developmental Core Co-Director
RUSH University

Kathryn Macapagal, PhD
Developmental Core Co-Director
Northwestern University

Jenny Trinitapoli, PhD
Developmental Core Co-Director
University of Chicago

Justin Schmandt, MPH
Developmental Core Administrator
Third Coast CFAR

To request information about Developmental Core awards and services, contact Justin Schmandt.

Mentorship

Formal and informal mechanisms of mentorship of junior faculty are at the core of research development. Developmental Core leaders will catalyze a working group of senior Third Coast CFAR members who will individually mentor junior faculty in a number of areas, including on Developmental Core award submissions and grant “mock review.”