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Developmental Core

The Developmental Core supports career development of promising early-stage HIV investigators, leadership development of independent HIV investigators, and fosters multidisciplinary collaborations.

The core aspires to grow and sustain a robust HIV research workforce and engage in equitable community partnerships by providing opportunities for funding, training, and mentored research experiences.

Annual Mentoring the Mentors Workshop
This annual training enables emerging leaders, mid-career and senior faculty to gain specialized mentorship training, with a specific focus on nurturing early-stage investigators. For more information, contact cfardev@uw.edu.

Annual STI and HIV Research Symposium
The Annual STI & HIV Research Symposium, co-hosted by the UW Center for AIDS & STD (CFAS) and the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is our premier showcase for featuring emerging HIV and STI research talent within our community. Scientific talks include a keynote speaker and early-stage investigators, who are customarily recipients of developmental awards from the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research and STI Cooperative Research Center. Representatives of community-based organizations and researchers at all career stages are encouraged to attend, network, and contribute to the Symposium discussions.
Eastern and Southern Africa Early-Stage Investigator Group (ESIG)
The CFAR Developmental Core organizes a peer mentoring group for 12-15 new and early-stage HIV investigators who are all working in Eastern and Southern Africa. The monthly agenda rotates between members sharing works in progress and career development topics. The Eastern and Southern Africa Early Stage Investigator Group (ESIG) is a key approach by which our CFAR aids capacity-building amongst international collaborators and promotes anti-colonial scientific practices. For more information about how to apply or contribute as a mentor or sponsor, contact cfardev@uw.edu.
Manuscript Writing Workshop
The CFAR Developmental Core hosts an intensive, three-day mentoring program for trainees and early-stage investigators around manuscript writing methods, submission strategies and related ethical considerations. Next generation leaders and senior faculty are also invited to help lead by presenting on workshop topics and serving as writing coaches. For more information, contact cfardev@uw.edu.
Specific Aims Consultations
The CFAR Developmental Core offers Specific Aims Consultations to support HIV investigators in developing and strengthening their grant applications by coordinating review of their draft specific aims page. Prospective applicants will receive written feedback from 1 – 3 reviewers from within our UW/Fred Hutch CFAR consortium (UW, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s, University of Hawai’i at Manoa).

Eligibility: Investigators preparing to apply for HIV-related grants from NIH (e.g. R01, R21, K awards) or other funding agencies. Priority will be given to early-stage investigators and those who are new to HIV or making a significant change to their research focus. Must be a CFAR member or have applied for CFAR membership.

Deadlines to Request Specific Aims Consultation:

  • August 7, 2026 – For feedback by September 1, 2026, in preparation for NIH Cycle III Due Dates.
  • November 18, 2026 – For feedback by December 18, 2026, in preparation for NIH Cycle I Due Dates.
  • April 9, 2027 – For feedback May 1, 2027, in preparation for NIH Cycle II Due Dates.

Submit Your Draft Aims Page

The CFAR Developmental Core provides funding for research and training to early-stage HIV investigators, graduate, students, and community-based health advocates, as well as training mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Over the last 5 years, the CFAR Developmental Core has awarded over $1.3 MM to projects from a variety of types of science, including clinical, epidemiologic, basic, behavioral, and mixed methods. Geared towards new and early-stage investigators (ESIs), these grant programs have catalyzed researchers’ transition to independence and prepared them to secure subsequent funding.

The CFAR NIA was instrumental to launching my career. I have received a follow up R21, and a well scored (pending funding) R01. I would definitely advise any of my own trainees to apply for different mechanisms of support from CFAR, as it has been an excellent experience.

Anonymousresponse from 2021 CFAR Member Survey

To learn more about CFAR Developmental Core grant programs, visit the Find Funding page or contact cfardev@uw.edu.

Training, Networking, and Mentoring Opportunities programs and events offered by the CFAR Developmental Core are designed to encourage skill development, facilitate research dissemination and feedback, and enhance collaboration of early-stage investigators to support their success in HIV-research. We also offer further training for mentors to sustain and advance their mentorship skills.
To learn more about these services contact cfardev@uw.edu.

Sample New Investigator Award Proposals:

Science Category: Basic

Science Category: Clinical Epidemiology

Other Resources:

  • CFAR Clinical Clearance Guidelines for CFAR Award Projects
  • LinkedIn Learning – All UW students, faculty, and staff have FREE access to LinkedIn Learning.
  • Peer Review Webinars & Videos – A series of webinars and videos to give you an inside look at how scientists from across the country review NIH grant applications for scientific and technical merit.
  • School of Public Health 2026 Grant Writing Workshop – Presentation slides from the 2026 Grant Writing Workshop hosted by the UW School of Public Health, including in-depth process guides and tips for writing biosketches, preparing specific aims and research strategies, and submitting NIH grant proposals.

Grace John-Stewart, Core Director
Jennifer Lund, Core Associate Director
Andrew Mujugira, Core Associate Director
Irene Njuguna, Core Faculty
Warren Phipps, Core Faculty
Keshet Ronen, Core Faculty
Alison Roxby, Core Faculty
Anna Wald, Core Faculty
Joseph Zunt, Core Faculty
Linh Newcomb, Grant and Finance Manager
Jacqueline Williamson, Program Specialist
Giada Szanyi, Program Operations Specialist
Juliana-Symone Tabura, CFAR Dev Core Student Assistant