Closing date: 07 Jan 2019
Mentors: Are you working with a promising young investigator in paediatric or adolescent HIV clinical research?
Junior investigators: Are you the next young leader in paediatric and adolescent HIV clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa?
The Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education and Research (CIPHER) is proud to launch a new round of the Growing the Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship Programme which aims to contribute to strengthened HIV clinical research capacity in high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by providing two-year research fellowships to eligible Mentor-Fellow pairs to fill critical knowledge gaps in paediatric and adolescent HIV diagnosis, treatment and service delivery.
Background
When top-tier publications and guidelines in paediatric HIV are mapped out, there is a clear disconnect between where the majority of international leaders are from (mainly from well-resourced countries) and the geography of the epidemic, particularly SSA where the majority of treating physicians work. There is a recognition that support is needed to develop young leaders in paediatric and adolescent HIV clinical research, especially in developing countries. The CIPHER Fellowship Programme seeks to contribute to the success of emerging paediatric and adolescent HIV investigators in SSA by providing participants a chance to work with internationally renowned mentors on a research project that will develop their skills and place them in a stronger position to apply for subsequent intermediate level fellowship grants.
In 2017, CIPHER partnered with World Health Organization to conduct a global study on what evidence is most needed to reach an AIDS-free generation by 2030. The result was the development of the Global Research Agendas for Paediatric and Adolescent HIV, which provide guidance and aim to focus research efforts. In order to be eligible, applications to the CIPHER Fellowship Programme must focus on one of the eligible research priorities outlined in the Call for Applications.
How it works
Mentor-fellow pairs submit an application together; a full mentorship and capacity-building plan must be submitted. The Fellowship provides a stipend for the fellow to work on a funded research project led by the mentor, travel support to present results and publication fees. The research project must address one of the eligible research gaps outlined in the Call for Applications. Awards are funded up to US$70,000 for two years. Fellows must apply for at least one intermediate level research grant during their fellowship.
Selected fellows are awarded at IAS 2019, and receive travel support to attend the IAS/IAC for the duration of their fellowship.
Eligibility
Mentor-Fellow pairs must fulfill the eligibility criteria at the time of application in order to be eligible to apply.
Mentors:
· Must be an Associate or Full Professor or Chief/Principal Research Officer with an established position at a research institute in sub-Saharan Africa.
· Must be able to demonstrate that they are the principal investigator of the proposed research project that the fellow will be contributing to.
Fellows:
· Must be a Junior investigator from sub-Saharan Africa with a doctoral degree (PhD) or doctor of medicine degree (MD) obtained within the past 10 years and with less than 5 years of relevant research experience.
· Must hold a passport from a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
· Must be a clinical/research trainee, or have a faculty or comparable position at a sub-Saharan African academic institute or a sub-Saharan African institute whose primary mission is research.
Application
Applicants will be asked to submit an application that briefly outlines their proposed projects, including background, specific aims, preliminary data (if any) and research methodology. The Call for Applications is now available on the CIPHER website.
Applications must be submitted no later than 7 January 2019, 18:00 CET through CIPHER’s online submission system. Applications not submitted through the online system will not be accepted. Only applications in English will be considered.
Please note that a copy of the mentor’s CV and a letter of support from the applicant’s institution are required, as well as a copy of the applicant’s terminal research degree/diploma and passport. Applicants will be requested to upload these documents during the submission process.
Selection
Eligible applications will be reviewed by the CIPHER Fellowship Programme Steering Committee. Selection is based on past achievements of the Fellow and Mentor; support from the host institution; the quality of the research proposed and the mentorship plan; and the potential of the overall proposal to forward the professional development of the Fellow. Selected candidates will be notified in mid-March 2019.
Any questions may be directed to cipher@iasociety.org.
How to apply:
Apply online at https://www.iasociety.org/HIV-Programmes/CIPHER-Fellowship-Programme