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The 2026 Application Cycle is now open!
Deadline is 11:59 pm, Pacific Time, December 15th, 2025

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Eligibility  |  Application Requirements  |  Timeline  |  Example Data Projects  |  Questions  |  Contact Info

General eligibility criteria

The following is a preview of general eligibility criteria for the program:

  • MD, PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree
  • Track record of work on HVTN clinical trials
  • Current affiliation with HVTN Core site or site with active HVTN studies
  • Need for mentoring in one or more key areas: first authorship, protocol development, protocol implementation, translational research and immunology, statistical analysis
  • A local HVTN mentor who can oversee their progress

How will scientists be chosen for this program?

  • Prior track record of clinical trials research and experience
  • Availability of suitable mentor affiliated with HVTN
  • Demonstrated evidence of qualities such as intellectual rigor, independence, curiosity, responsibility, drive, and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Track record of supporting colleagues and team approaches to science

A complete application will include:

Current Curriculum Vitae

An academic CV emphasizes your education, degrees, and qualifications; highlights research experience, publications, abstracts, and conference presentations. Your CV should specifically highlight your work with the HVTN:

  • Which protocols you have supported
  • Which clinical trial site you have been affiliated with
  • Which years you worked on those projects.

Personal Statement

Describe (max 2 pages, 12pt Arial or Times font, 1" margin):

  • Your experience in clinical trials and HIV research
  • How this opportunity fits your career goals and objectives
  • Which scientific aspects of HVTN immunology or vaccinology research inspire your intellectual passion and curiosity
  • A specific research concept or analysis project is not required for this application

Letter of Nomination

A letter of nomination from a local HVTN mentor, detailing the following about the SLD applicant:

  • Work to-date within the Network
  • Qualifications as a researcher and leadership potential
  • Career trajectory and why the candidate is ready to take a leadership role in the Network

After reading this letter, the selection committee should understand your strengths as an applicant and why you are a good fit for this award.

Supervisor Commitment Statement

Brief statement from your supervisor or mentor committing to allow the candidate to spend 20% time for 12 months on the project*

*There is an upper limit to the salary that we can support; in rare instances, we may not be able to provide a full 20%. This will be negotiated upon award acceptance.

Timeline

  • Complete application packages due by email to Francisco Rentas by December 15th, 2025, 11:59pm Seattle time
  • Selected awardees will be notified by February 15th, 2026
  • Program year will run from March 1st, 2026 to February 28th, 2027

Examples of Data Projects

The purpose of the project is to increase skills in immunology, vaccinology, and interpreting data and outputs from HIV Vaccine trials, and the awardee will write a first author manuscript describing the results. The awardee will also present results at the annual HVTN Full Group Meeting.

The HVTN has a wealth of data from completed HIV and COVID-19 vaccine trials available to analyze. Below are some projects that have been completed by prior SLD awardees:

  1. Analyses of potential relationships between objective solicited adverse events, sex/gender, and VRC01 pharmacokinetics in HVTN 703/HTPN081 and HVTN 704/HPTN085
  2. Correlates of local and systemic reactogenicity signs and symptoms related to ALVAC-HIV [Vcp2438] + Bivalent Subtype C gp120/MF59 inHVTN 702)
  3. Pharmacokinetic interaction assessment of an HIV broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody VRC07-523LS: a cross-protocol analysis of three phase 1 HIV prevention trials.
  4. Sex-Disaggregated Immune Responses to ALVAC-HIV and Bivalent Subtype C gp120/MF59 HIV Vaccines
  5. A Cross Protocol Analysis of Sex Differences in Antibody and Cellular Responses in 12 HIV Vaccine Studies
  6. Estimation of regional pre-existing cellular immunity to cytomegalovirus: a cross-sectional data analysis
  7. AS01b, MF59 and Alum based adjuvants and HIV vaccine immunogenicity: cross-protocol comparison of results from HVTN 100, 107, 120 and 702
  8. Factors influencing longevity of neutralizing antibody responses to HIV mRNA vaccines in healthy adults: HVTN 302 study

Other opportunities can be proposed by awardees, especially projects that align with an awardee’s area of interest, projects that allow an awardee to focus on a specific skill, or projects that include protocols with which awardees have been involved.​

Questions

  • For questions about the SLD program, eligibility or application contents, reach out to Alison Roxby and Sufia Dadabhai.
  • For administrative questions about the application preparation or submission process, contact Francisco Rentas.

Submit your application materials by the deadline of 11:59pm Pacific Time on Monday, December 15 via email to:

Francisco Rentas

Administrative Coordinator, HIV Vaccine Trials Network