# HIV Intervention Science Training Program for Underrepresented Investigators

> **NIH NIH R25** · COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE · 2020 · $127,829

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 This R25 proposal aims to increase the number of highly-trained multidisciplinary HIV scientists
from groups underrepresented among NIH Principal Investigators (PIs). It focuses on increasing the
number of NIH funded new HIV investigators from underrepresented groups by providing training,
mentorship, and other research and professional development activities that will enable them to conduct
implementation research focused on criminal justice populations and outcomes regarding the HIV
continuum of care, with a special emphasis on solutions that rely or take advantage of health technology
(e.g., mHealth, social media interventions, gamification, wearable technology). This grant proposes to
renew support for the PIs’ successful NIMH R25 training program: the HIV Intervention Science Training
Program for Underrepresented New Investigators (HISTP). The HISTP employs a multidisciplinary set of
training activities and a number of dedicated, interdisciplinary mentors. The proposed renewal targets
promising new investigators from underrepresented groups who are in their first two years of a tenure
track faculty position at universities around the U.S.; it extends past innovations as well as shifts the focus
to the following key research areas: implementation science, criminal justice, and health technology. A
new generation of HIV researchers needs to be trained to conduct such research and better fulfill the
promise of technology to make a major impact in reducing new HIV infections, particularly among
communities of color. This renewal builds upon the success of the prior cycles of funding, prompting the
creation and use of an Alumni Advisory Board consisting of past HISTP trainees who have achieved
research and career success. In addition, the HISTP design and methodology have been strategically
refined based on lessons learned about mentees’ research and career trajectories, mentee and mentor
engagement with the program and each other, and feedback from mentees and mentors. The HISTP will
enroll 12 promising new investigators from underrepresented groups, 2 mentors for each new investigator,
and includes a multidisciplinary Scientific Advisory Board in addition to the Alumni Advisory Board. The
program will continue to be led by Drs. Nabila El-Bassel and Elwin Wu (as Multiple PIs) from Columbia
University School of Social Work. They have synergistic expertise from working closely together for 10
years on the HISTP as well as more than 20 years of highly productive research collaboration. Targeting
the significance of implementation research and criminal justice and combining with the innovation of
health technology will truly strengthen the nation’s diverse biobehavioral and biomedical research
workforce in delivering evidenced-based, technology-driven and/or supported HIV prevention interventions
to communities in an expeditious manner, ultimately reducing new HIV infections and HIV-related health
disparities and co-morbidities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9991901
- **Project number:** 5R25MH080665-11
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE
- **Principal Investigator:** Nabila El-Bassel
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $127,829
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-04-16 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9991901

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9991901, HIV Intervention Science Training Program for Underrepresented Investigators (5R25MH080665-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9991901. Licensed CC0.

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