The HVTN anticipates a marked increase in HIV vaccine trials in our pipeline in the next several years, with many of these trials enrolling in countries outside the US. This has led to an urgent need to ensure a new generation of scientific leaders is ready to move vaccine trials forward.

The HVTN continues to have a solid commitment to ensuring that clinical trials are led by people from the communities that we serve. We recognize that scientists in our network would benefit from institutional resources to facilitate their advancement to these needed roles.

The Scientific Leadership Development program will identify these emerging leaders of the HVTN and commit resources to their professional development with the goal of expanding the pool of diverse scientists capable of successfully leading HIV vaccine clinical trials around the world.

Each scientist will create a professional development plan, complete a scientific manuscript using HVTN data, and receive coaching and sponsorship. The overarching goal is that candidates will achieve readiness to co-chair or chair HVTN protocols upon program completion. Scientists will be supported through their affiliate sites with 20% FTE for the duration of the program. In addition, scientists will be eligible for travel scholarships, publication fees, and other support to advance their scholarly work while enrolled in the program.​