PROJECT SUMMARY The Texas D-CFAR Developmental Core B fosters the development of HIV-related research at Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute through investigator-initiated pilot project awards, career development mentoring, outreach programs targeted to high school students through early career faculty, and support services for HIV investigators. Pilot project applications are solicited in high-priority areas of HIV research. Applications undergo rigorous peer review modeled after the NIH system. Pilot grant outcomes are tracked for a minimum of 5 years. Core B also supports the Substance Use Scientific Working Group (SU-SWG) that addresses a critical research topic for people with HIV (PWH) in Texas. Core B facilitates high priority areas of HIV research and SWG-targeted pilot project cycles, supplemented with generous institutional funds provided by the Texas D-CFAR institutions. Infrastructure provided by Core B enables the D-CFAR to respond to NIH supplement opportunities. Developmental Core B offers a comprehensive and proactive mentoring program focused on junior investigators applying for pilot project funding. A required Letter-of-Intent process links junior investigators with a research mentor early in the pilot project grant writing process. The mentoring program facilitates the assembly of a mentor team consisting of three mentors—research, peer, and career—for each junior investigator applying for pilot project funding. To expand Core B outreach activities, the previous Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pipeline Initiative (CDEIP) program (funded by NIH Supplements) will be expanded. This expansion will leverage existing career pathway programming at D-CFAR Institutes – from high school to early career faculty – to provide exposure to career opportunities and HIV science by implementing age-appropriate interventions to enhance the interest, knowledge, skills and access needed to pursue HIV research careers. Multifaceted evaluations of these approaches will determine which are most effective in order to retain those for future iterations of the programs. Core B also sponsor an HIV Research Forum series and an annual Texas D-CFAR Conference where HIV researchers throughout Texas will present their research, allowing investigators to receive critical input and establish new collaborations.