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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 Relationship Factors and Engagement in HIV Care in South Africa
Exploring Relationship Factors and Engagement in HIV Care in South Africa
Abstract
South Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic is among the largest in the world in terms of its breadth and consequences. Despite rapid expansions in antiretroviral therapy (ART), a large number of HIV-positive individuals remain disengaged in care and treatment after diagnosis. In sub-Saharan Africa, relationship dynamics play an important role on HIV-related behavior, however, it is unclear how these factors affect decision-making along the treatment cascade.
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Exploring Relationship Factors and Engagement in HIV Care in South Africa
Exploring Relationship Factors and Engagement in HIV Care in South Africa
Abstract
South Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic is among the largest in the world in terms of its breadth and consequences. Despite rapid expansions in antiretroviral therapy (ART), a large number of HIV-positive individuals remain disengaged in care and treatment after diagnosis. In sub-Saharan Africa, relationship dynamics play an important role on HIV-related behavior, however, it is unclear how these factors affect decision-making along the treatment cascade.
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A Cross-Sectional Study of Cerebral Vasoreactivity in HIV-infected Individuals Compared with Uninfected Controls
A Cross-Sectional Study of Cerebral Vasoreactivity in HIV-infected Individuals Compared with Uninfected Controls
Abstract
Recent studies in the current era of combination antiretroviral therapy demonstrate an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) in HIV-infected individuals compared with uninfected controls, independent of traditional stroke risk factors. As the HIV-infected population ages, the clinical and public health impact of this elevated risk is predicted to grow. Despite the increased cerebrovascular risk, no tools exist to stratify HIV-infected individuals by their risk of stroke.
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A Cross-Sectional Study of Cerebral Vasoreactivity in HIV-infected Individuals Compared with Uninfected Controls
A Cross-Sectional Study of Cerebral Vasoreactivity in HIV-infected Individuals Compared with Uninfected Controls
Abstract
Recent studies in the current era of combination antiretroviral therapy demonstrate an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) in HIV-infected individuals compared with uninfected controls, independent of traditional stroke risk factors. As the HIV-infected population ages, the clinical and public health impact of this elevated risk is predicted to grow. Despite the increased cerebrovascular risk, no tools exist to stratify HIV-infected individuals by their risk of stroke.
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Investigating How CD4 T Cells Die in HIV-1-Infected Patients: Potential Implications for a Novel Therapeutic Intervention
Investigating How CD4 T Cells Die in HIV-1-Infected Patients: Potential Implications for a Novel Therapeutic Intervention
Abstract
Untreated HIV-1 infection is characterized by a progressive depletion of CD4 T cells that clinically culminates in AIDS. Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying CD4 T-cell death remains rudimentary. By infecting lymphoid cell cultures ex vivo, we have found that the vast majority of HIV-1-infected CD4 T cells do not die as a result of productive viral infection, but rather these cells die due to abortive infection where cytosolic viral DNA triggers a suicidal antiviral innate immune response.
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Investigating How CD4 T Cells Die in HIV-1-Infected Patients: Potential Implications for a Novel Therapeutic Intervention
Investigating How CD4 T Cells Die in HIV-1-Infected Patients: Potential Implications for a Novel Therapeutic Intervention
Abstract
Untreated HIV-1 infection is characterized by a progressive depletion of CD4 T cells that clinically culminates in AIDS. Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying CD4 T-cell death remains rudimentary. By infecting lymphoid cell cultures ex vivo, we have found that the vast majority of HIV-1-infected CD4 T cells do not die as a result of productive viral infection, but rather these cells die due to abortive infection where cytosolic viral DNA triggers a suicidal antiviral innate immune response.
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Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Acquisition in Early Childhood in Uganda
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Acquisition in Early Childhood in Uganda
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death for people infected with HIV worldwide. Active TB disease is largely driven by a vast reservoir of latent TB infection (LTBI), most of which has already been established by the age of five. 1,2 However, the epidemiology of TB acquisition prior to the age of 5 is poorly understood in high TB burden countries. Additionally, there is a significant gap in knowledge of TB acquisition dynamics in HIV-exposed, un-infected children - a growing group of children due to advances in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission.
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Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Acquisition in Early Childhood in Uganda
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Acquisition in Early Childhood in Uganda
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death for people infected with HIV worldwide. Active TB disease is largely driven by a vast reservoir of latent TB infection (LTBI), most of which has already been established by the age of five. 1,2 However, the epidemiology of TB acquisition prior to the age of 5 is poorly understood in high TB burden countries. Additionally, there is a significant gap in knowledge of TB acquisition dynamics in HIV-exposed, un-infected children - a growing group of children due to advances in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission.
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ACE Inhibitors to Decrease Lymphoid Fibrosis and the Size of the Latent Reservoirin Antiretroviral-Treated, HIV-infected Patients: A Pilot Study
ACE Inhibitors to Decrease Lymphoid Fibrosis and the Size of the Latent Reservoirin Antiretroviral-Treated, HIV-infected Patients: A Pilot Study
Abstract
The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in the marked decline in the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection. However, despite this success, current antiretroviral therapy has limitations and does not achieve a cure. Eradication of HIV will likely require a combination of strategies, including therapies that bolster the host?s immune system and that re-activate the HIV latent reservoirs. The majority of the latent reservoir in treated patients resides in the secondary lymphoid tissues including lymph nodes.
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ACE Inhibitors to Decrease Lymphoid Fibrosis and the Size of the Latent Reservoirin Antiretroviral-Treated, HIV-infected Patients: A Pilot Study
ACE Inhibitors to Decrease Lymphoid Fibrosis and the Size of the Latent Reservoirin Antiretroviral-Treated, HIV-infected Patients: A Pilot Study
Abstract
The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in the marked decline in the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection. However, despite this success, current antiretroviral therapy has limitations and does not achieve a cure. Eradication of HIV will likely require a combination of strategies, including therapies that bolster the host?s immune system and that re-activate the HIV latent reservoirs. The majority of the latent reservoir in treated patients resides in the secondary lymphoid tissues including lymph nodes.