# Developmental Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2024 · $280,356

## Abstract

Creating an independent scientist requires extensive training within an enriching academic environment as
well as adequate salary and research support for the trainee. The period that follows didactic graduate
training is particularly vulnerable in East Africa, which is also true in sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. While
funding streams exist for graduate training, the region lacks comprehensive mechanisms to support junior
investigators as they transition towards research independence. In the U.S., post-graduate training is often
facilitated by NIH "K Award" programs at both the individual and institutional level. NIH K Awards had been
unavailable to African scientists but this recently changed with the creation of the K43 Emerging Global
Leader Award. Yet, there still remains a substantial challenge preparing both trainees and their home
institutions to compete for a K43 Award or other career development awards. To address the need for
career development in the post-graduate period, the Developmental Core of the USEAHAMRC will:
 Aim 1. Bolster the overall environment for career development in clinical, epidemiologic and
 translational research at the East African institutions of our United States-East Africa HIV-
 Associated Malignancy Research Center (USEAHAMRC).
 Aim 2. Mentor and provide protected time for our emerging African and U.S. junior scientists
 working in the field of HIV-associated malignancies as they develop their academic and
 leadership portfolio and mature towards independence.
 Aim 3. Award funding for pilot research projects to be conducted by emerging African or U.S
scientists.
Modeled on institutional K Award programs in the U.S., we will create a semi-monthly Career Development
Seminar featuring emphasis on scientific writing, mentorship skills, and foundational methodologic training
for all interested scholars at our participating institutions (Aim 1). By drawing upon lessons learned from K
Award funding in the U.S., four emerging Ugandan principal investigators will have a substantial portion of
their time supported for the conduct of research in area of HIV-associated malignancies and will be
mentored to compete for funding that will propel them to the next stage of their careers (Aim 2). With the
assistance from substantial institutional commitment from UCSF, we will award two or three Pilot Project
Awards annually over the 5-year funding cycle for research related to the USEAHAMRC research themes,
which will help us identify and mentor the next cohort of junior investigators.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10866361
- **Project number:** 5U54CA254571-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew Ddungu Kambugu
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $280,356
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-13 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10866361

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10866361, Developmental Core (5U54CA254571-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10866361. Licensed CC0.

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