Sociostructural Implementation Science Coordination Initiative (SISCI)

About SISCI

The Sociostructural Implementation Science Coordination Initiative (SISCI) is a newly established coordination hub that works with five NIH-funded R01 projects across the United States. The HIV prevention projects study structural and social determinants of health, as well as the structural interventions required to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and linkage to care. SISCI intends to advance the field of HIV implementation science within the United States so that larger structural issues that impact HIV care can be addressed.

Specific Aims

Aim 1: ASSIST

To ASSIST the Companion R01s through collaboration; knowledge sharing; and expert consultation on D&I science and SSDOH models and methods.

Aim 2: INTEGRATE

To INTEGRATE implementation and effectiveness outcome data across R01 studies.

Aim 3: ADVANCE

To ADVANCE the field of IS to reduce HIV disparities and application of D&I methods leading to sustainment, health equity, and scale-up.

R01 Projects

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mobile HIV Prevention App to Increase HIV and STI Testing and PrEP Initiation among Rural MSM

Jeb Jones, PI

Emory University

PI Website Project Details

Five Point Initiative: A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Bundled Implementation Strategy to Address the HIV Epidemic in Black Communities

Sannisha Dale, PI

University of Miami

PI Website Project Details

J-RISE: Relevant Implementation Strategies to Eliminate the Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Services among Justice-Involved Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

Russell Brewer, PI

University of Chicago

PI Website Project Details

Implementation of PrEP Care among Women in Family Planning Clinics

Sadia Haider, PI

Rush University Medical Group

PI Website

Amy K. Johnson, PI

Lurie Children’s Hospital; Northwestern University

PI Website Project Details

Women-Focused Encounters for Resilience, Independence, Strength, and Eudaimonia

Maile Ann Young Karris, PI

University of California San Diego

PI Website Project Details

Diversity supplement information

If you are eligible for a diversity supplement (check eligibility here) and would like us to match you with a PI of one of the five R01s that are part of this collaborative, email us at sisci@northwestern.edu.

Requesting SISCI Data

Researchers will soon be able to request data from common data elements shared across the five companion R01 projects. These measures encompass demographic information, social determinants of health, implementation determinants, and implementation outcomes, along with effectiveness measures like ART, PrEP, and testing.

It is important to acknowledge that due to the intricate nature of the projects and their inherent differences, not all variables were collected across all projects, nor were they collected in precisely the same manner. However, the SISCI team, in collaboration with each project’s principal investigator(s), made concerted efforts to align data collection methods as closely as possible. Harmonization of implementation determinants and implementation outcomes is ongoing, and data will be added to the integrated dataset on a biannual basis (July 15 and December 1) from 2024 to 2028. To see all data elements, the exact measures used, and the number of participants/clinics from which data were collected, email the SISIC team at sisci@northwestern.edu.

A form will soon be provided for investigators to request data for their own analyses.

SISCI Trainings

HIV Implementation Science Social Determinants of Health Fellowship

- For postdocs and early career investigators and exceptional senior-level PhD candidates
- Applicants must be NIH-defined early-stage investigators, who have not held an R01 or equivalent award
- Organized by Third Coast CFAR, SISCI, Mid-Atlantic CFAR, and UAB’s Social Science and Justice Research pilot initiative

Fellows are expected to:

- Complete a series of up to 22 pre-recorded modules
- Engage in live, weekly discussion sessions throughout the Fellowship to discuss lectures, critical papers in the field, and IS methods, and to advance their grants. The sessions are held on Thursdays, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET from program inception on October 17, 2024, until May 2025, with breaks over the holiday seasons
- Develop a grant incorporating IS research
- Attend a kick-off event with their community implementing partner at the UAB Institute for Human Rights in Birmingham, Alabama November 14-15, 2024
- Attend a three-day in-person closing workshop with the mentorship team to present grant progress and receive feedback, which will take place in Baltimore, May 12-14, 2025 (travel costs for both trips are covered by the Fellowship)

To see all application details and apply, please review the document below and complete the linked application form. Applications are due August 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Application details

HIV and Social Determinants of Health Implementation Practitioner Training

- For implementation practitioners; individuals who work in HIV prevention, treatment, linkage, and surveillance service provision; or community partners of HIV researchers
- Applicants must be located in the United States, with priority given to those living in an EHE priority jurisdiction and have institutional support to devote time and effort to the program

Participants will:

- Attend six virtual, two-hour classes every other Tuesday from November 12, 2024, until February 4, 2025
- Complete worksheets and readings prior to each session
- Develop an implementation research logic model
- Receive a certificate of completion

To be considered for the Fellowship, please review the document below and complete the linked application form by September 15, 11:59 p.m. CT.

Application details