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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
139 Awards
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Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein to Improve Selection of HIV-infected Individuals Eligible for Isoniazid Preventive Therapy
Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein to Improve Selection of HIV-infected Individuals Eligible for Isoniazid Preventive Therapy
Abstract
In high burden countries, isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is recommended for all HIV-infected individuals for whom active TB is deemed unlikely. However confident exclusion of active disease is required prior to initiation of this life-saving intervention. Although the highly sensitive WHO four-part symptom screen effectively rules-out active TB for those who screen-negative, up to two-thirds of HIV-infected individuals screen-positive and are therefore misclassified as ineligible for IPT.
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Evaluating Genetic Factors Associated with Tenofovir Exposure in HIV-Infected Women Undergoing Intensive Pharmacokinetic Monitoring
Evaluating Genetic Factors Associated with Tenofovir Exposure in HIV-Infected Women Undergoing Intensive Pharmacokinetic Monitoring
Abstract
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is used commonly in HIV treatment and prevention settings, but factors that correlate with TDF exposure are unknown. Recent data have identified clinical factors that are associated with renal toxicity related to TDF and elevated TDF area-under-the-curve (AUC) concentrations. An elevated AUC, as a robust measure of drug exposure, is hypothesized to contribute to TDF-related kidney disease, but this has yet to be definitively shown. Furthermore, genetic factors underlying elevations in TDF AUC have not been delineated.
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Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein to Improve Selection of HIV-infected Individuals Eligible for Isoniazid Preventive Therapy
Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein to Improve Selection of HIV-infected Individuals Eligible for Isoniazid Preventive Therapy
Abstract
In high burden countries, isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is recommended for all HIV-infected individuals for whom active TB is deemed unlikely. However confident exclusion of active disease is required prior to initiation of this life-saving intervention. Although the highly sensitive WHO four-part symptom screen effectively rules-out active TB for those who screen-negative, up to two-thirds of HIV-infected individuals screen-positive and are therefore misclassified as ineligible for IPT.
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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.