HVTN Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) Scholar Grants

Seeking African-American and Hispanic medical students interested in HIV vaccine research

The development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine is one of the greatest biomedical research challenges of our time. The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) is now accepting applications for Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) Scholar Grants to attract new minds and new ideas to the field.

See Our
Current Scholars

Grant recipients will work under the mentorship of HVTN-affiliated investigators to conduct short-term research projects in areas of basic, clinical, behavioral and social science. Scholars can apply for one of two RAMP tracks:

Track One: Summer program or 4th year research elective

8-16 week research project mentored by an HVTN Investigator
Travel to an HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in the US or abroad
Maximum award of $20,000

Track Two: Year-long program

Research at an HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in the US with up to 16 weeks at an international HIV Vaccine Trials Unit
Can be timed with a planned masters or doctoral program, or be a distinct, non-degree associated research-focused year
Maximum award of $60,000

Project Ideas
Project ideas include, but are not limited to:

What are the best practices for conducting informed consent and parental assent procedures to encourage informed participation of youth in South African HIV vaccine trials?
What do men who have sex with men in Peru think about circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy? Would it influence their willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials?
How are antibody responses to vaccines being measured in clinical trials? Can current assays be improved?
What are the current motivations and barriers to participate in HIV vaccine trials? Is there a differential rate of drop-out during the screening process by race or ethnicity in San Francisco? In Washington, DC?
How can we improve Internet recruiting for HIV vaccine clinical trials in Boston? Can this strategy be used effectively at different non-US sites?

For more project ideas, potential mentors, and a list of domestic and international clinical research sites, contact Blythe Adamson (contact information below).

Who can apply?
The HVTN will be accepting up to four RAMP scholars that meet the following criteria:

Male or female medical students in the US who self-identify as African-American or Hispanic
Expresses an interest in pursuing a future career in HIV vaccine development research

Application Materials
If you are interested in applying for a RAMP Scholar Award, e-mail HVTNawards@fhcrc.org for more information and to be connected with a mentor and project. Completed RAMP applications are due on January 10, 2012.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more information
If you would like additional information, or assistance in completing the application, contact:

Blythe Adamson, MPH
Project Manager, Training Initiatives
HIV Vaccine Trials Network
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Ave. N., LE-500
Seattle, WA 98109-1024
Office: (206) 667-6712
Mobile: (206) 724-8583
badamson@fhcrc.org


Explore further:	HVTN Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) Scholar Grants Seeking African-American and Hispanic medical students interested in HIV vaccine research The development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine is one of the greatest biomedical research challenges of our time. The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) is now accepting applications for Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) Scholar Grants to attract new minds and new ideas to the field. See Our Current Scholars Grant recipients will work under the mentorship of HVTN-affiliated investigators to conduct short-term research projects in areas of basic, clinical, behavioral and social science. Scholars can apply for one of two RAMP tracks: Track One: Summer program or 4th year research elective 8-16 week research project mentored by an HVTN Investigator Travel to an HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in the US or abroad Maximum award of $20,000 Track Two: Year-long program Research at an HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in the US with up to 16 weeks at an international HIV Vaccine Trials Unit Can be timed with a planned masters or doctoral program, or be a distinct, non-degree associated research-focused year Maximum award of $60,000 Project Ideas Project ideas include, but are not limited to: What are the best practices for conducting informed consent and parental assent procedures to encourage informed participation of youth in South African HIV vaccine trials? What do men who have sex with men in Peru think about circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy? Would it influence their willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials? How are antibody responses to vaccines being measured in clinical trials? Can current assays be improved? What are the current motivations and barriers to participate in HIV vaccine trials? Is there a differential rate of drop-out during the screening process by race or ethnicity in San Francisco? In Washington, DC? How can we improve Internet recruiting for HIV vaccine clinical trials in Boston? Can this strategy be used effectively at different non-US sites? For more project ideas, potential mentors, and a list of domestic and international clinical research sites, contact Blythe Adamson (contact information below). Who can apply? The HVTN will be accepting up to four RAMP scholars that meet the following criteria: Male or female medical students in the US who self-identify as African-American or Hispanic Expresses an interest in pursuing a future career in HIV vaccine development research Application Materials If you are interested in applying for a RAMP Scholar Award, e-mail HVTNawards@fhcrc.org for more information and to be connected with a mentor and project. Completed RAMP applications are due on January 10, 2012. APPLICATION MATERIALS Request for Applications Application Form Budget Template ADDITIONAL RESOURCES List of HVTN Sites and PIs Sample Biosketch Sample Budget For more information If you would like additional information, or assistance in completing the application, contact: Blythe Adamson, MPH Project Manager, Training Initiatives HIV Vaccine Trials Network Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center 1100 Fairview Ave. N., LE-500 Seattle, WA 98109-1024 Office: (206) 667-6712 Mobile: (206) 724-8583 badamson@fhcrc.org