Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section The Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) catalyzes new and nurtures ongoing HIV research – across domains of basic, behavioral, clinical, implementation, and community science – in partnership with the communities we serve. As a nexus for HIV research since inception in 1988, the CFAR now provides support in the form of 18 research services, pilot funding, investigator development, and foundational relationships with community partners. Under new leadership since July 2022, we have carried out a robust, forward-looking strategic planning process yielding a structure with 5 Cores (4 continuing/refreshed: Administrative, Developmental, Clinical, Advanced Technology; 1 new: Implementation & Community Sciences) and 2 new Scientific Working Groups (Substance Use and Global Health Reciprocal Innovation). Changes align with current priorities for HIV research and will facilitate advances in implementation and community sciences while sustaining excellence in basic and clinical research. Our CFAR shared values are to fostering representation, access to opportunity, and a culture of belonging and to be in authentic partnership with communities most impacted by HIV. The center includes >165 active HIV investigators, partnerships with 13 community-based organizations and 4 academic institutions, and leadership that purposefully incorporates mid- and senior-level investigators. In 2022, the center’s HIV federal research base (FRB) was $23 million, and the university received $66 million in total HIV funding. The FRB includes 79 grants (up 30 from the last renewal application). Our return on investment from pilot grants is now $17:1 (up $4) and the center participated in recruiting 41 HIV investigators (21 new to UAB, 20 from UAB new to HIV research) in the current funding cycle. Over the next 5 years, we will leverage our Cores and SWGs to: 1) provide robust services to the HIV research community that add value to cutting edge science, including through technologies, data science, and methodologic expertise; 2) catalyze innovation and develop integrated networks of researchers and funded research focused on HIV and a) substance use and b) global health reciprocal innovation; 3) develop and nurture the next generation of HIV researchers, including those across a wide spectrum of lived experience and career paths; and 4) sustain and strengthen authentic bi-directional relationships between CFAR investigators and communities most impacted by HIV. Through our structure, relationships with community, public health, and academic partners, and institutional support, the UAB CFAR is positioned to support high-impact discoveries towards the achievement of HIV research priorities and curbing the epidemic in Alabama, the Deep South, and globally.