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Joe Watabe, MS
CFAR Developmental Core Manager
Spring 2026 funding cycle: Applications available until Monday, March 2nd, 2pm PT.
- Call opens: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
- Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026 (2:00 pm PST)
- Funding results: Available before end of June 2026
Amount available: $50,000 in direct costs for 1 year
Apply through the UCSF Resource Allocation Program (RAP) portal
The CFAR Mentored Scientist Award (our primary award program) is a mentoring and training grant targeted toward early stage (either at a senior stage of clinical or postdoctoral training or junior faculty) investigators at UCSF or affiliated partner institutes in the conduct of an HIV research project. These awards are designed to acquire preliminary data and research skills to prepare investigators for a future grant effort. Applicants for this award must indicate a faculty research mentor(s) who will commit to guiding the applicant throughout the duration of the proposed project.
Designation of Mentor
All Mentored award applications from individuals at the Assistant Professor level or below require an HIV research mentor. Mentors can, but are not required to, have supervisory authority over the applicant. CFAR requires your research mentor’s support to advise and guide the research portion of your application before submitting it to RAP.
Of high interest to CFAR are investigations ranging from basic pathogenesis to clinical outcomes in the research areas of HIV/aging and inflammation, latency, cure, vaccines, co-infections, HIV in women, implementation science, and research related to HIV-infected and HIV-impacted Bay Area populations. Projects must be within NIH’s HIV/AIDS research high or medium priority areas. Projects in closely related areas (e.g. TB, HCV, drug use, etc.) must be clearly linked to HIV in order to be eligible for CFAR funding.
The award amount is $50,000 in direct costs for one year.
CFAR requests that applicants review the NIAID HIV Language Guide as they prepare their proposals so that they can follow best practices on language for communicating respectfully about HIV and related topics, including the use of person-first, non-stigmatizing language. Please contact us if you have any questions about this request.
For more detailed information about this RFA, please see the RAP Portal.
To see examples of previously funded projects, see the list below.
Mentored Science Awardees
135 Awards
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CD96 Regulation and the Impact on T Cell Effector Functions during HIV-1 Infection
CD96 Regulation and the Impact on T Cell Effector Functions during HIV-1 Infection
Abstract
During HIV-1 infection, the importance of CD8+ T cells have been well established to play a key role in control of viremia, where emergence of HIV-specific CD8+T cells are associated with rapid decrease of viral load. However, despite the appearance of HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cell responses and in some cases control of viremia, HIV-1 is not successfully eliminated from HIV-1-infected individuals. The underlying mechanisms for this are not completely understood, but T cell dysfunction and chronic immune activation are frequently regarded to be contributing factors.
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Acceptability and Feasibility of Serial HIV Antibody Testing to Detect Incident HIV Infection During Pregnancy and Lactation and Partner Testing in Tororo, Uganda
Acceptability and Feasibility of Serial HIV Antibody Testing to Detect Incident HIV Infection During Pregnancy and Lactation and Partner Testing in Tororo, Uganda
Abstract
The current practice of single HIV antibody testing for pregnant women in high prevalence areas fails to identify those at risk of acquiring and, in turn, transmitting HIV throughout pregnancy and lactation. The objective of this study is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of serial HIV antibody testing among HIV-uninfected pregnant and breastfeeding women from the initiation of antenatal care until 24 weeks postpartum in Tororo, Uganda. This is a prospective study of 500 HIV-uninfected pregnant women receiving care at the Tororo District Hospital.
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Augmentation of Peripheral T cell Function
Augmentation of Peripheral T cell Function
Abstract
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Augmentation of Peripheral T cell Function
Augmentation of Peripheral T cell Function
Abstract
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Comparison of Quantiferon to Conventional Tuberculin Skin Testing for the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in HIV Positive Subjects
Comparison of Quantiferon to Conventional Tuberculin Skin Testing for the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in HIV Positive Subjects
Abstract
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Comparison of Quantiferon to Conventional Tuberculin Skin Testing for the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in HIV Positive Subjects
Comparison of Quantiferon to Conventional Tuberculin Skin Testing for the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in HIV Positive Subjects
Abstract
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The Influence of Duel Pressure from Antiretroviral Therapy and Anti-HIV-1-Specific CD8+ T cell Responses on Drug Resistance Development
The Influence of Duel Pressure from Antiretroviral Therapy and Anti-HIV-1-Specific CD8+ T cell Responses on Drug Resistance Development
Abstract
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The Influence of Duel Pressure from Antiretroviral Therapy and Anti-HIV-1-Specific CD8+ T cell Responses on Drug Resistance Development
The Influence of Duel Pressure from Antiretroviral Therapy and Anti-HIV-1-Specific CD8+ T cell Responses on Drug Resistance Development
Abstract
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Determination Whether HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell Responses are Associated with the Control of Drug-Resistant HIV Replication in Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Determination Whether HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell Responses are Associated with the Control of Drug-Resistant HIV Replication in Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Abstract
Publications:
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Determination Whether HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell Responses are Associated with the Control of Drug-Resistant HIV Replication in Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Determination Whether HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell Responses are Associated with the Control of Drug-Resistant HIV Replication in Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Abstract
Publications: