Core B: Developmental Core ABSTRACT The mission of the Developmental Core (Core B) is to catalyze new research directions in HIV/AIDS priority areas and launch new AIDS research careers. Central to this goal, Core B nurtures young investigators, attracts new-to-AIDS scientists, galvanizes the formation of innovative interdisciplinary teams, and provides funding. Since creation of the Core in 1999, it has funded 148 pilot grants with a total of $5.6M, yielding $113.6M in subsequent NIH awards for a 20:1 return on investment (ROI); in the past 5 years it has funded or co- funded 43 pilot grant projects with a total of $1.5M, resulting in $18.3M in NIH funding for a 12:1 early ROI. The Developmental Core is led by Drs. Elizabeth Lowenthal (Director) and Una O’Doherty (Co- Director), and aims to: 1. To provide an efficient, dynamic and responsive funding process to catalyze new scientific domains, engage and support the next generation of HIV investigators and leaders, encourage entry of established investigators from other areas into AIDS research, and enhance diversity in the CFAR community. We will: (1) Fund Pilot Grants that support innovative projects and new or new-to-HIV investigators; (2) Partner with campus entities to create joint pilot research opportunities that promote synergy and multiply the impact of CFAR funds; (3) Provide nimble, rapid funding for junior investigators to obtain targeted data for resubmission of a grant, to support presentations at important scientific meetings or to publish in high-impact open access journals through our Microgrant Program; (4) Issue special RFAs to fund timely research into emerging priorities. 2. To recruit, engage, and support CFAR investigators through mentoring and partnership programs. We will: (1) Mentor and educate, providing advice and support to new and new-to-AIDS investigators; (2) Engage the full CFAR community to stimulate additional targeted mentorship by Core leaders, Scientific Working Groups, and partnerships with strategically matched and experienced CFAR faculty; (3) Execute a series of Workshops and Review Panels that bring established experts and young scientists together for feedback and to nurture interdisciplinary interactions. 3. To catalyze impactful research in NIH HIV/AIDS research priority areas. We will: (1) Bring together investigators from basic, clinical and behavioral sciences to brainstorm topics of overlapping interest; (2) Engage researchers from across the Penn, CHOP and Wistar campuses with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other community partners; (3) Identify and recruit promising emerging investigators in complementary fields whose work overlaps with NIH HIV/AIDS research priority area; (4) Support pipeline initiatives that bring diverse researchers into the field.