MATRIX Technology Accelerator Domain 1 Prevention Challenges: Overcoming Impediments to HIV Prevention

This is an opportunity to apply for funding to advance research applications related to HIV prevention. Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from Kenyan, South African, and Zimbabwean institutions are invited to apply to this request for applications (RFA) sponsored by MATRIX (Microbicide R&D to Advance HIV Prevention Technologies through Responsive Innovation and excellence): A USAID Project to Advance the Research and Development of Innovative HIV Prevention Products for Women. This RFA is designed to support research by a graduate student or post-doctoral fellow to address the critical need for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and/or multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) development that meets the goals of the MATRIX consortium and USAID. This funding opportunity has two objectives: The first is for the applicant to gain, through active mentoring, the professional expertise required to become an independent scientist. The second is for the applicant to acquire research experience by conducting HIV prevention research. Solutions to these challenges can stimulate the development and implementation of effective HIV prevention strategies that meet the diverse HIV prevention needs of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), pregnant and breastfeeding people (PBFP), and female sex workers (FSWs). Successful applications will deliver innovative research while providing training and mentoring to the next generation of African scientists. PATH, a member of the MATRIX project, will oversee application submission and award processes using an oversight structure that draws from US- and Africa-based administrators. The number of awards will be based on meritorious review of the proposals received.