Visiting Scholars in HIV Implementation Science Program

Five women have linked their arms and are smiling at each other.
Five women have linked their arms and are smiling at each other.

Visiting Scholars in HIV Implementation Science Program

About the Program

The primary goal of the Visiting Scholars in HIV Implementation Science program is to strengthen academic-community partnerships capable of conducting impactful implementation research, while leveraging research findings to advance efforts in ending the HIV epidemic. Chosen applicants will gain experience in HIV Implementation Science (IS) through individual work with a Sponsor(s) at an HIV Implementation Science Coordination Initiative (ISCI) Hub who will provide mentorship, networking and training opportunities, and financial support for an in-person networking event. Scholars will engage with a community partner and work towards goals specific to building and/or strengthening that relationship with support from the Sponsor. Scholars and Sponsors will be matched based on compatibility between Sponsor experience and Scholar needs. There will be up to two Scholars per Hub for 18 Scholars in total.

The focus of the second year of the program will be Scholars involved in IS and HIV research. There will be a required in-person networking event funded by each Sponsor’s Hub. The destination will be dependent on the composition of the Scholars’ goals with their Sponsor. For the community partnership aspect of this program, applicants will apply within one of two categories:

1) Applicant must have an established community partner and is looking to strengthen this relationship. This requires a letter of support from the community partner;

OR

2) Applicant must have potential community partner(s) identified and will need their Sponsor’s guidance to pursue their potential community partner. This requires a document from the Scholar detailing aims for pursuing their community partnership relationship.

Learn about the 2024 Scholars

Participant Requirements

    • Located within the United States
    • Some experience in either HIV research or implementation science (early- to mid-career scientists/researchers)
    • Plans to strengthen or pursue a relationship with a community partner (located in an Ending the HIV Epidemic, or EHE, district) who you will work with during the program period
    • Available during the program period from February 12 to July 31, 2025

2025 Program Timeline

    • Applications due: Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT
    • Applicants notified of acceptance: Friday, January 31, 2025
    • Program starts: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
    • Program ends: Thursday, July 31, 2025

Program Components

    • Capacity to meet virtually at least monthly with Sponsor
    • Capacity to meet periodically with community partner
    • Available to meet virtually with other Scholars and Sponsors bi-monthly
    • Availability to attend at least one in-person networking event
        • Funding is available through the Hubs to support Scholars in attending in-person networking opportunities. Scholars can choose the event(s) that best align with their professional needs, including an implementation science workshop or brief “visiting scholar” experience at their sponsoring Hub. Community partners can also receive support to participate in these events alongside the Scholars. The number of events a Scholar can attend depends on available funds, which vary based on travel costs and selected opportunities.

Application Description

The required components of the online application are below.
    • Demographic information
    • Professional background information
    • Professional needs assessment
    • Sponsor matching questions
    • NIH Biosketch (template can be found here)
    • If applying with an established community partner, a one-page letter of support from your community partner is required. There is an option within the application to send the letter of support to isci@northwestern.edu at a later date if it is not currently available. Applications are not considered complete without the letter of support. Please have the community partner address the following in their letter:
        • Nature of your relationship with the program applicant/applicant’s home institution
        • How long you have been working together
        • What gap are you looking to fill with this partnership?
        • EHE jurisdiction and if they receive EHE funding
        • Willingness and availability to participate in the program
    • If applying without an established community partner, a document detailing your aims is required. Please address the following in about one full page:
        • 2-4 specific aims on how you plan to pursue a relationship with your potential community partner(s)
        • What gap you are looking to fill with this partnership
        • EHE jurisdiction and if they receive EHE funding
        • The support that will be required from your Sponsor

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Visiting Scholars in HIV Implementation Science program or the application process, you can email our team at isci@northwestern.edu. You can also sign up for our biweekly Interchange newsletter to be notified of any updates to the program and application cycle.