CAPS Research Award: Mentored Science Award
This award funds UCSF early-stage investigators for mentored, innovative HIV research—especially in prevention, treatment, or policy—emphasizing social and public health dimensions and strong mentorship.
Funder: University of California San Francisco
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Full application deadline — Mentored Science Award, Spring cycle)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per project; 1-year project period; direct costs only.
Summary: Supports early-stage investigators in innovative HIV prevention, treatment, care, or policy research with a strong mentorship plan to foster career development and future extramural funding.
Key Information: Only UCSF-affiliated early-stage investigators who have not held an NIH R01/equivalent are eligible.
Description
The CAPS Research Award: Mentored Science Award provides seed funding to early-stage investigators (ESIs) at UCSF for innovative research in HIV prevention, treatment, care, or policy—especially projects with social, behavioral, or public health dimensions. The program emphasizes mentorship, requiring applicants to identify a research mentor and submit a detailed mentoring plan. The goal is to enable preliminary studies or secondary data analyses that will position investigators for future independent funding (e.g., NIH K or R awards).
Priority is given to projects addressing populations or regions disproportionately impacted by HIV, or exploring vulnerabilities/protective factors at the intersection of identities and social determinants. Projects must be feasible within a one-year period and demonstrate potential to advance the field and lead to further funding.
