Application window for the 2022-2023 awards
is now CLOSED. Please check back in Summer 2023 for information about next year's application window.


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
  • Need for mentoring in one or more key areas: first authorship, protocol development, protocol implementation, translational research and immunology, statistical analysis
  • A local 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
  • 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

Scientists from backgrounds or communities that have been underrepresented in scientific research leadership are particularly encouraged to apply.

A complete application will include:

Current Curriculum Vitae

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 for those projects.

Personal Statement

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

  • Your experience in clinical trials and HIV research and how this opportunity fits your career goals and objectives
  • Which scientific aspects of HVTN research inspire your intellectual passion and curiosity
  • How your selection furthers the goal of ensuring that scientific leaders represent communities served by the HVTN

Letter of Support

A letter of support from identified HVTN mentor at your site, describing your work to date with the network and your potential for leadership.

Supervisor/Mentor Commitment Letter

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


Examples of Data Projects

The HVTN has a wealth of data from completed HIV and Covid-19 vaccine trials available to analyze. Below are examples of projects that could be undertaken with currently existing data from prior HVTN trials.

  1. Compare the distributions of HIV vaccine insert distances to circulating strains across HVTN 505, 702, 705, 706, and RV144 to help interpret results of the 3 recent efficacy studies (HVTN 702, 705, 706) and explore the potential to improve vaccine insert selection.
    Special requirement: Interest in bioinformatics and working with public viral sequence databases.|

  2. Explore the relationship between HIV vaccine reactogenicity and immune responses, focusing on HVTN 702 & 705.
    Special requirement: Medical degree and/or familiarity with reactogenicity data.

  3. Estimate the prevalence and incidence of STIs in HVTN 702. Determine the association between time dependent STIs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas) and HIV.​
    Special requirement: Interest and experience with STIs, basic understanding of epidemiology.​

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 About the Application Process:

Francisco Rentas

Administrative Coordinator, HIV Vaccine Trials Network / COVID Prevention Network

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Eastlake Ave., E3-300
Seattle, WA 98109-1024