SHAPe - South African/HVTN AIDS Vaccine Early Stage Investigator Programme

This exciting new initiative aims to expand and strengthen the contribution of South African investigators to HIV vaccine research through a structured research, mentorship and PhD program. SHAPe seeks to build scientific research capacity by helping to develop and foster the careers of early stage investigators interested in clinical trials, laboratory and epidemiological research that support preventative HIV vaccine development.

SHAPe seeks to identify, support and retain young clinicians interested in committing to a career in HIV research. Early stage investigators (ESIs), by working closely with established South African HIV vaccine researchers to identify priority research topics/questions, will design and propose a novel research project to conduct within the framework and support of an HIV vaccine research unit.

This program is supported by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre (DTHC), with funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Fogarty International Center of the US National Institutes of Health.

Program Overview
The SHAPe Program will establish a cohort of young scientists who will conduct research at established HIV vaccine research units in South Africa. Research projects will address critical priorities of the HVTN scientific agenda and further South Africa's meaningful scientific, academic and practical contribution to HIV vaccine development. Ongoing support for scholars will be available in the form of training, mentoring and technical assistance.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards
36 months of full-time funding including salary, research-related costs and participation in career development/mentoring activities is available to support 4 investigators. Support may also be available to cover Ph.D. program fees.

Eligibility
Eligible applicants will be South Africans who have received an MBChB degree in the past 12 years and have completed their community service. Having a specialty degree; a Masters of Public Health degree; research experience OR a passion for research is highly desirable. Applicants must be able to commit to 100% of full-time professional effort conducting the proposed research project and engaging in mentorship and structured learning activities as part of the SHAPe Program. Applicants should have a commitment to maintaining a long-term career in HIV research in South Africa. SHAPe supports transformation in science.

Application Process
Identification of SHAPe ESI scholars will occur through a two part selection process. The first part involves the submission of a Letter of Intent/Application. Promising applicants will be invited to interview with the selection committee.

To Apply
If you are interested in applying for this award, please contact Danna Flood at dflood@hvtn.org for more information.

Program Contacts
Linda-Gail Bekker
Chair, SHAPe Programme
Desmond Tutu Research Centre
Linda-Gail.Bekker@hiv-research.org.za
telephone +27 21 650 6599

Tammy Buhler
Program Coordinator
Desmond Tutu Research Centre
tammy.buhler@hiv-research.org.za
telephone +27 21 633 6599

Danna Flood
HVTN Associate Director for Training
HIV Vaccine Trials Network Core Operations Center
dflood@hvtn.org
telephone +1 206-667-6679


Explore further:	This exciting new initiative aims to expand and strengthen the contribution of South African investigators to HIV vaccine research through a structured research, mentorship and PhD program. SHAPe seeks to build scientific research capacity by helping to develop and foster the careers of early stage investigators interested in clinical trials, laboratory and epidemiological research that support preventative HIV vaccine development. SHAPe seeks to identify, support and retain young clinicians interested in committing to a career in HIV research. Early stage investigators (ESIs), by working closely with established South African HIV vaccine researchers to identify priority research topics/questions, will design and propose a novel research project to conduct within the framework and support of an HIV vaccine research unit. This program is supported by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre (DTHC), with funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Fogarty International Center of the US National Institutes of Health. Program Overview The SHAPe Program will establish a cohort of young scientists who will conduct research at established HIV vaccine research units in South Africa. Research projects will address critical priorities of the HVTN scientific agenda and further South Africa's meaningful scientific, academic and practical contribution to HIV vaccine development. Ongoing support for scholars will be available in the form of training, mentoring and technical assistance. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards 36 months of full-time funding including salary, research-related costs and participation in career development/mentoring activities is available to support 4 investigators. Support may also be available to cover Ph.D. program fees. Eligibility Eligible applicants will be South Africans who have received an MBChB degree in the past 12 years and have completed their community service. Having a specialty degree; a Masters of Public Health degree; research experience OR a passion for research is highly desirable. Applicants must be able to commit to 100% of full-time professional effort conducting the proposed research project and engaging in mentorship and structured learning activities as part of the SHAPe Program. Applicants should have a commitment to maintaining a long-term career in HIV research in South Africa. SHAPe supports transformation in science. Application Process Identification of SHAPe ESI scholars will occur through a two part selection process. The first part involves the submission of a Letter of Intent/Application. Promising applicants will be invited to interview with the selection committee. To Apply If you are interested in applying for this award, please contact Danna Flood at dflood@hvtn.org for more information. Program Contacts Linda-Gail Bekker Chair, SHAPe Programme Desmond Tutu Research Centre Linda-Gail.Bekker@hiv-research.org.za telephone +27 21 650 6599 Tammy Buhler Program Coordinator Desmond Tutu Research Centre tammy.buhler@hiv-research.org.za telephone +27 21 633 6599 Danna Flood HVTN Associate Director for Training HIV Vaccine Trials Network Core Operations Center dflood@hvtn.org telephone +1 206-667-6679