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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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Exploring Innate Mechanisms of Viral Suppression in HIV Elite Controllers
Exploring Innate Mechanisms of Viral Suppression in HIV Elite Controllers
Abstract
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The Role of Undiagnosed Opportunistic Infections in Early Mortality among HIV infected Patients Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in Africa
The Role of Undiagnosed Opportunistic Infections in Early Mortality among HIV infected Patients Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in Africa
Abstract
Publications:
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The Role of Undiagnosed Opportunistic Infections in Early Mortality among HIV infected Patients Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in Africa
The Role of Undiagnosed Opportunistic Infections in Early Mortality among HIV infected Patients Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in Africa
Abstract
Publications:
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Augmentation of Peripheral T cell Function
Augmentation of Peripheral T cell Function
Abstract
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Host Genetic Predictors of IDO-induced Tryptophan Catabolism Among HIV Infected Ugandans Maintaining Treatment-Mediated Viral Suppression
Host Genetic Predictors of IDO-induced Tryptophan Catabolism Among HIV Infected Ugandans Maintaining Treatment-Mediated Viral Suppression
Abstract
Millions of HIV-infected Africans now receive life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, mortality remains high, and persistent immune activation during early ART-mediated viral suppression is an independent predictor of mortality in this setting. Studies have shown that generalized immune activation accelerates clinical progression of untreated HIV disease, persists during therapy, predicts poor immune recovery during suppressive ART, and may lead to increased mortality. One potential inflammatory pathway mediating morbidity and mortality is the tryptophan oxidative (TOx) pathway.
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Atrial Fibrillation in HIV Infection
Atrial Fibrillation in HIV Infection
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between HIV infection and atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Despite the importance of AF and its associated morbidity and mortality, the incidence, treatment and outcomes of AF in the setting of HIV infection have never been formally studied.
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Atrial Fibrillation in HIV Infection
Atrial Fibrillation in HIV Infection
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between HIV infection and atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Despite the importance of AF and its associated morbidity and mortality, the incidence, treatment and outcomes of AF in the setting of HIV infection have never been formally studied.
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Development and Implementation of a Novel Sexual Health-Oriented Mobile Health Application (app) to Assess Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men who Have Sex with Men
Development and Implementation of a Novel Sexual Health-Oriented Mobile Health Application (app) to Assess Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men who Have Sex with Men
Abstract
HIV-related sexual risk behavior is commonly ascertained by collecting retrospectively enumerated sexual activities that span 3-month or 6-month periods. This approach is problematic because of recall bias, potentially leading to underreporting of key behaviors. We propose to design, and determine feasibility and acceptability, and validity of a novel sexual health-oriented mobile health (mHealth) application (app) to assist with daily reporting of sexual activities and thereby eliminate the problems associated with recall bias.
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Development and Implementation of a Novel Sexual Health-Oriented Mobile Health Application (app) to Assess Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men who Have Sex with Men
Development and Implementation of a Novel Sexual Health-Oriented Mobile Health Application (app) to Assess Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men who Have Sex with Men
Abstract
HIV-related sexual risk behavior is commonly ascertained by collecting retrospectively enumerated sexual activities that span 3-month or 6-month periods. This approach is problematic because of recall bias, potentially leading to underreporting of key behaviors. We propose to design, and determine feasibility and acceptability, and validity of a novel sexual health-oriented mobile health (mHealth) application (app) to assist with daily reporting of sexual activities and thereby eliminate the problems associated with recall bias.
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Molecular Mechanisms of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Treated HIV Infection
Molecular Mechanisms of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Treated HIV Infection
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is more common in HIV-infected individuals and manifests at an earlier age. Loss of endothelial cell (EC) function increases the cardiovascular risk. A key vasoprotective molecule released by healthy endothelium is nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).
Objective: To determine if and how NO bioavailability is altered in ECs of HIV-infected subjects on virally suppressed therapy.