PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – DEVELOPMENTAL CORE B The RUSTBELT CFAR Developmental Core B will stimulate innovative investigator-initiated HIV/AIDS-related clinical, translational, and fundamental science research activities. The Core serves as the focus for all of the mentoring and training activities of the CFAR and provides essential financial resources to junior and new HIV investigators that enable them to demonstrate the feasibility and promise of new research directions. The Core also provides early investigators with committed and experienced HIV investigators as mentors. The RUSTBELT CFAR Developmental Core B Core B will be co-directed by two exceptional educators, Dr. Alan D. Levine, Ph.D., who joined the CWRU faculty in August 1995 and is a Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology and Graduate Program Director for the Molecular Virology program, and Dr. Nicolas Sluis-Cremer, Ph.D., who joined the University of Pittsburgh faculty in 2001 and is Associate Chief of Research and Outreach in the Division of Infectious Diseases, and Professor of Medicine. Importantly, Core B leadership will take advantage of the dual structure to provide inter-institutional mentoring, increasing objectivity by providing internal reviews from both institutions, and enhancing the mentoring activities of the Core by providing dual mentorship. The primary objective of Core B includes the review and award of Developmental (NIH), Catalytic (Institutional) Research Pilot Grants, Core Awards, and the development and implementation of innovative CFAR mentoring tools for junior and minority faculty. In this regard, the Aims are to: (1) Conduct responsive Mentored Scientist Pilot Grant and Catalytic Fund programs that accelerate junior faculty development; (2) Identify, mentor, and support the next generation of HIV investigators; (3) Provide Minority Training Programs; and (4) Train and provide support to HIV/AIDS researchers in the responsible conduct, rigor, and reproducibility of ethically sound research.