# International Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (ITAPS)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2021 · $270,438

## Abstract

International Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (ITAPS)
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This new application for the International Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (ITAPS) program, University
of California, San Francisco will promote global HIV prevention research by enhancing the research skills and
experiences of scientists from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) currently engaged in international HIV
research networks. Previous ITAPS programs have trained 316 early career investigators from 55 countries
since 1989; trainees and alumni have cumulatively published over 4000 manuscripts. ITAPS has served as a
catalyst for many to pursue further training, develop successful research proposals, and become leaders in
their fields. The prevalence and incidence of HIV continue to be greatest in LMIC, and more trained local
investigators are still needed to develop, implement and test HIV prevention strategies taking local context and
culture into account. However, a large proportion of HIV research in LMIC continues to be spearheaded by
investigators from the US and other high-income countries. Early-career LMIC scientists may be hampered by
a lack of background in data analysis, manuscript writing, and long-term mentorship from their home
institutions. We will address these issues by providing a new component of applied research experiences and
mentoring activities for HIV LMIC investigators currently working within existing international HIV research
networks. The applied research experiences consist of hands-on experience performing secondary data
analysis of results from their primary research networks, supported by training in data management,
biostatistics, and interpretation of results, and using these analyses to develop manuscripts for publication in
peer-reviewed journals. We will also promote linkages and learning exchange between early-career UCSF
investigators and ITAPS scholars to foster mutually supportive collaborations. The mentoring activities consist
of ITAPS faculty closely mentoring trainees through in-person and distance one-on-one mentoring, as well as
training more experienced LMIC investigators to become mentors themselves, thereby building in-country
capacity. Our Specific Aims are: 1) To provide applied research experiences and research education for
LMIC early-career investigators. We will support LMIC trainees to learn how to develop research questions,
perform secondary data analysis and write manuscripts based on that data, using a combination of distance
learning, mentorship, UCSF-based and in-country workshops, and on-line modules. 2) To provide
mentorship activities for more advanced LMIC investigators. They will learn fundamental mentorship skills
and apply these skills by supporting ITAPS trainees. Mentors-in-training will conduct in-country or regional
workshops on data analysis, biostatistics and scientific writing, promoting local sustainability and multiplying
the number of people trained. Over 3 educ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10181081
- **Project number:** 5R25MH123256-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTINA P LINDAN
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $270,438
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-05 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10181081

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10181081, International Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (ITAPS) (5R25MH123256-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10181081. Licensed CC0.

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