PROJECT SUMMARY ERC-CFAR: BEHAVIORAL AND IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE CORE (BISC) The Behavioral and Implementation Science Core will support the overarching ERC-CFAR goal to end the HIV epidemic through providing expertise and capacity building in behavioral, social and implementation science theory and methods. During the past four years, the BISC has had a major impact on advancing the research accomplishments of ERC-CFAR investigators as evidenced by its support of 52 investigators who received 39 grants, 9 supplements, and published 56 papers. In response to ERC-CFAR investigators’ requests, we have added implementation science (IS) services to better address the biggest challenge to ending the epidemic in the next 5 years, equitable implementation, scale-up and sustainment of evidence-based strategies to prevent HIV transmission and reduce health, social and emotional consequences of HIV infection. The Specific Aims of the BISC are to: Aim 1: Provide ERC-CFAR investigators with access to comprehensive technical assistance and expertise in behavioral and social science research, including: (a) quantitative research and trial design; (b) qualitative and mixed methods; (c) cognitive interviewing; and (d) the application of behavioral theories, especially for behavior change at the patient, provider, organization, and systems levels. Aim 2: Enable ERC-CFAR investigators to leverage IS approaches, methods, and frameworks to expand and strengthen EHE research and its impact across the ERC-CFAR, while focusing on strategies that mitigate health disparities and increase equity. Aim 3: Bring a whole-of-society lens to the ERC-CFAR through the Community Participatory Partnership (CPP) to shape the CFAR research agenda, address equity in prevention and care, and provide guidance on how to achieve integrated, coordinated responses to the HIV epidemic among all partners and stakeholders. Aim 4: With the Developmental Core, mentor ESIs and junior faculty in behavioral, social science and IS research methods and community collaboration, and support proposal development. The BISC will accomplish these aims through its Core infrastructure: The BISC Consultation Service, The Qualitative Research Resource, and The Cognitive Interview Lab. In addition, we will initiate the ERC-CFAR Implementation Science Interest Group (ISIG) to increase adoption of IS approaches and strengthen existing relationships with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Columbia University HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies.