Eligibility

Who Can Apply

The Research Scholars Program in Community-Led HIV Prevention & PrEP is open to early-career investigators from community health organizations and public health clinical settings in the US. 

The funding is intended for one lead Primary Investigator (PI) paid via the community health organization, not via the academic institution. Senior mentorship is required, and can be from either a community health organization or from academic institutions in the US. 

In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Hold either one of the following degrees:

  • Medical Degree (MD), PhD, Physician Assistant (PA) with doctorate, PharmD, Nursing Practitioner with doctorate, or DO

Clinical investigators or clinicians currently employed within the community health organization setting with no more than 5 years' experience

Preferred for applicants to have prior research experience in Public Health and/or implementation science disciplines

Senior mentorship support with extensive experience in their field (co-mentorship is accepted)

  • Mentorship can be from either an academic institution or a community health organization

Organizational support that allows you to devote at least 30% of professional time to research for the 2-year award period

Be able to complete the proposed research within the 2-year award period

Exceptions

Exceptions to the above can apply, for example, having taken time out for parental leave or family bereavement.

Potential Ineligibility

Duplicative Funding

Awards granted under the program may not be duplicative of funding from institutional or hospital, other governmental, non-governmental, or industry sources. Applicants seeking an award for research projects that are currently receiving or may receive partial funding from other sources are required to submit appropriate evidence, including budget information related to the other sources, to demonstrate that there is no direct overlap in funding.

Other Funder Restrictions

Please be aware that some entities have their own restrictions against acceptance of the RSP Award for example, the NIH Loan Repayment Program. Please check before preparing your application.

Citizenship

An applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or hold a temporary non-immigrant visa/work permit. This visa must be valid and must allow the applicant to undertake the research over the 2-year award period from the United States. This non-immigrant visa/work permit must be valid for the 2-year award period or applicant must be able to establish that he or she is eligible for an extension, renewal or other status that will enable the applicant to perform the research in the applicable jurisdiction for the entirety of the 2-year award period.

Top FAQs

Preferred to have around at least 5 years' experience, however, exceptions can be made to allow promising applicants.

Application Deadline

11:59 PM PDT

16 Mar 2026

Grant Amount

4 Awards

$180,000