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HIV Research Program

Early Career Investigator Resources

Two female scientists working with test tubes and a microscope

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of AIDS Research (OAR) coordinates HIV/AIDS research across NIH. The NIH provides the largest public investment in HIV/AIDS research globally. NIH OAR supports and promotes diversity to advance research and enhance innovation to end the HIV pandemic. As stated in the NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research, Goal 4 is to “build human resource and infrastructure capacity to enhance sustainability of HIV research discovery and the implementation of findings by a diverse and multidisciplinary workforce.”

To advance these goals, NIH OAR gathered input from a broad range of audiences on how to improve outreach to the next generation of HIV investigators and effectively address training and capacity-building programs. (Learn about select community engagements in this recent summary of OAR-hosted listening sessions.) In response to the significant input received, NIH OAR developed an HIV early career investigator page to centralize relevant information for investigators and provide easy access to grant opportunities, basic information, and other resources, such as training and capacity building programs.

NIH OAR 2025 Workshop for Early Career Investigators in HIV

The NIH Office of AIDS Research, along with partners across NIH, will hold the fourth annual virtual workshop for students, postdocs, and new HIV investigators on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET. Register and learn more on the event webpage.

Learn From Past ECI Events

NIH OAR 2024 Workshop for Early Career Investigators in HIV: Learn about the third annual virtual workshop on the event webpage, read the Executive Summary, and watch video recordings of the workshop.

NIH OAR 2023 Workshop for Early Career Investigators in HIV: View mentor presentations from the 2023 workshop at the links below.

Mallory Johnson, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco
Always Have a Plan But Always Be Ready to Not Follow It

Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz, Ph.D., M.P.H.E., MCHES, George Washington University
Conducting Community-Centered HIV Research With Latinx Populations

David Chang, Ph.D., currently OAR Senior Science Advisor; previously NIH Center for Scientific Review
The NIH Grant Application Cycle: From Submission to Notice of Award
(Note: Some information may be out of date as there have been changes in the NIH review process.) 

Use these dates and resources to guide your grant submission plans.

Visit the NIH ICO websites to learn about HIV research and funding opportunities, such as the following –

Learn more about the programs, conferences, and opportunities offered by NIH.

The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) is the world’s largest publicly funded multi-disciplinary international collaboration facilitating the development of vaccines to prevent HIV/AIDS. The HVTN conducts all phases of clinical trials, from evaluating experimental vaccines for safety and immunogenicity to testing vaccine efficacy. Explore HVTN to learn about opportunities and programs for new investigators such as the Scholar Awards.

  • Scholar Awards: The Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) aims to recruit and retain a new generation of HIV vaccine researchers by providing structured mentorship and project funding to African American/Black and Latinx U.S. medical students.
  • Submit an Idea or Proposal: HVTN welcomes the ideas of the scientific community regarding new proposals for HIV vaccine studies that are not currently being planned or pursued.
  • Ancillary/Exploratory Studies: The HVTN shares data and specimens collected in its studies with investigators who would like to use HVTN’s materials to answer research questions related to vaccinology, immunology, or HIV/AIDS.

These visuals outline career path options and examples of NIH-funded mechanisms available to individuals in different stages of their careers. There are a variety of paths to pursue. For more information about individual funding mechanisms, see NIH Research Training and Career Development Programs.

Career path for scientists with PhD degrees, including opportunities for undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career assistant professors.

Career path for scientists with Medical degrees, including opportunities for undergraduates, medical students, clinical fellows and early career assistant professors.

HIV Funding Opportunities

This list of Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) may include HIV/AIDS receipt dates. Please note that some FOAs allow HIV/AIDS applications but they may have specific requests such as all AIMS should be related to HIV research. Contact the Program Officer indicated in the individual funding opportunity to request further details.

This page last reviewed on September 3, 2025