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The 2025 SLD cohort has been selected and the application window is currently closed. Please check back in August 2025 for information about the 2026 application cycle.

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Eligibility  |  Application Requirements  |  Example Data Projects  |  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
  • 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 Nomination

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

  • Your work to-date within the Network
  • Your leadership potential
  • Why now is the time for you 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 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 projects that were undertaken by our inaugural cohort of SLD awardees in 2022-2023:

  1. Protocol: HVTN 703/HTPN081 and HVTN 704/HPTN085
    Analyses of potential relationships between objective solicited adverse events, sex/gender, and VRC01 pharmacokinetics/immune correlates within HVTN 703/HTPN081 and HVTN 704/HPTN085

  2. Protocol: HVTN 705
    Describe the incidence and correlates of pregnancy in participants of HVTN 705, especially contraceptive use, age at time of pregnancy, length of follow up, trial participation

  3. Protocol: HVTN 702
    To evaluate local and systemic reactogenicity signs and symptoms caused by the ALVAC-HIV [Vcp2438] + Bivalent Subtype C gp120/MF59 of HVTN 702 study and identify correlates of reactogenicity

  4. Protocol: HVTN 704/HPTN 085
    Characterize PrEP users, describe correlates of PrEP use compared to others in the trial who did not use PrEP and characterize trial retention between PrEP users and non users

  5. Protocol: HVTN 703/HPTN 081
    Describe STI prevalence, incidence and correlates among women; site-level differences in STI diagnoses and HIV seroconversion

  6. Protocol: HVTN 704/HPTN 085 
    Describe STI prevalence, incidence and correlates; site-level differences in STI diagnoses and HIV seroconversion

 

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.​

Submit your application materials by the deadline of Sunday, November 10, via email to:

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