# International Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $245,613

## Abstract

Core I: International Core
ABSTRACT
The CFAR International Core (Core I) mission is developing locally-relevant HIV/AIDS research and research
capacity in Botswana, a country in southern Africa with one of the world’s highest rates of HIV infection. Penn
has deep ties to Botswana, where an excellent infrastructure and strong commitment to promoting HIV-related
research and research capacity have resulted in impactful work over the past two decades. The Core’s missions
are to nucleate new collaborations among Penn and Botswana-based investigators and provide infrastructure
for studies implemented in Botswana that will advance high priority research relevant to the country, and to train
the next generation of US- and Botswana-based HIV/AIDS investigators. The Core’s focus remains cutting edge
by maintaining close relationships and conducting strategic planning with Botswana-based stakeholders
including the University of Botswana (UB) & Ministry of Health (MOH) and working closely with other CFAR
cores for synergy. Core I is led by Drs. Robert Gross, Director (based at Penn) and Merrian Brooks, Co-
Director (based in Botswana), along with Core Investigators Drs. Billy Tsima (at UB) and Andrew Steenhoff
(at CHOP). Operations are facilitated by Drs. Brooks & Tsima being based in Botswana, English being an official
language, and leveraging resources of the institutionally-funded Botswana-UPenn Partnership.
Core I services include (1) consulting on feasibility and local appeal of research ideas targeting issues and
populations in Botswana; (2) engaging key stakeholders and local collaborators to ensure optimal design and
efficient implementation of projects; (3) support for protocols including assistance with IRB submissions and
translation of materials into the local language (Setswana) to allow for full local participation; (4) hiring, training
and supervising local research staff; (5) specimen processing and laboratory analyses or shipping; and (6)
secure data management. Core training activities include mentoring of junior investigators from Penn and
Botswana who are developing HIV-related research in Botswana; partnering with new-to-HIV and/or new-to-
Botswana established investigators; sponsoring seminars at UB and at Penn to disseminate findings & engage
investigators; teaching epidemiology & biostatistics skills to aspiring researchers from the US and Botswana;
laboratory training including hands-on experimental work at Core in-country laboratories.
In the current reporting period, Core I enabled high priority research on HIV acquisition & treatment; the
intersection of severe mental illness and HIV; HIV in children and adolescents; cervical cancer; and nicotine
addiction. Looking ahead, Core I will continue support across all current research domains, with planned
innovations including a focus on wellbeing in areas of smoking cessation, physical and cognitive rehabilitation,
and a consultation service (Sedibeng) for local HIV investigators.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10896659
- **Project number:** 2P30AI045008-26
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT GROSS
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $245,613
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1999-07-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10896659

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10896659, International Core (2P30AI045008-26). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10896659. Licensed CC0.

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