Core I: International (Intl) Project Summary/Abstract The overall objective of the International (Intl) Core is to expand HIV research opportunities in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC). We achieve this objective by 1) Mentoring for Momentum (M4M), addressing long- term career development needs of emerging investigators pursuing international HIV research; 2) Advancing Decolonization (AD), implementing policies to counteract inequities that impede LMIC researchers’ ability to conduct HIV research; and 3) moving from Local to Global (L2G), boosting international HIV research across the SD CFAR through advising local investigators who are planning or already conducting projects in other countries. The Intl Core supports the SD CFAR’s mission, major goals, and initiatives through the following specific aims: 1. Training and Quality Assurance Unit: To foster international HIV investigators and SD CFAR members by evaluating Intl Pilot and other research proposals; provide written, live/virtual, or recorded trainings on study management, publications, and grant writing; and offer customized assistance to San Diego-area investigators leading or planning international HIV studies. 2. Regulatory Unit: To assist international HIV researchers and SD CFAR members in fulfilling regulatory and financial requirements for their studies through collaboration/consultation with other SD CFAR cores and appropriate NIH contacts, e.g., the Office of Human Research Protections. 3. Communications Unit: To promote international HIV research; ensure research interests and needs of emerging international HIV investigators are addressed to the extent possible; produce training materials under the direction of the Training/Quality Assurance Unit; maintain contact between Intl Pilot grant applicants and recipients, SD CFAR cores, and local/international community advisory boards. 4. Innovation Unit: To identify new international HIV research opportunities in recognized NIH HIV/AIDS research priorities, including implementation science, training, infrastructure, and capacity building; promote global health equity throughout all SD CFAR-funded studies; and share promising opportunities with SD CFAR researchers to support our Center’s mission “to improve the lives of people with HIV and to stop new infections, both locally and globally.” Progress: These aims are designed to assist emerging investigators and those new to international HIV research. SD CFAR grant funding in LMIC also provides much-needed equipment and infrastructure. The Intl Core offers training and mentorship to guide investigators to successful, independent careers. From 2006 to 2022, we have supported a total of 83 international studies funded by the SD CFAR Developmental Core. These studies have resulted in 259 peer-reviewed papers and $63.2 million in subsequent funding (ROI $14.65).