CIPHER Research Grants: Up to $140,000 for Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Research

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The CIPHER Research Grant Programme supports early-stage investigators from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) conducting research on paediatric and adolescent HIV prevention and co-morbidities. Selected investigators can receive up to USD 140,000 for two years to generate evidence that improves health outcomes while strengthening research capacity and preparing investigators for larger future grants. What Is the CIPHER Research Grant Programme? The Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education and Research (CIPHER) Research Grant Programme is designed to strengthen the research capacity and career development of early-stage investigators in low- and middle-income countries. The programme supports research addressing important evidence gaps affecting: - Infants living with or affected by HIV. - Children living with or affected by HIV. - Adolescents living with or affected by HIV. - Young people at risk of HIV. - Populations affected by HIV-related co-morbidities. The programme has two interconnected goals: - Generate high-quality evidence that can inform policy and improve health outcomes. - Develop early-stage researchers so they become more competitive for larger research funding opportunities. What Are the 2026 Research Priorities? This funding round focuses on two broad areas: - Paediatric and adolescent HIV prevention. - HIV-related co-morbidities. HIV Prevention Within HIV prevention, particular emphasis is placed on: - Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV. - HIV prevention among adolescents and young people. Research can address important gaps in preventing new HIV infections and improving prevention strategies for children, adolescents, and young people. HIV Co-Morbidities The co-morbidities component focuses on important health conditions affecting people living with or affected by HIV.

Priority areas include:

- Cardiometabolic conditions. - Key HIV-related co-infections. - Hepatitis. - Tuberculosis (TB). Applicants should ensure that their research question has a clear connection to the programme’s priority areas. How Much Funding Is Available? Each selected early-stage investigator can receive up to: USD 140,000 over two years The grant is intended to support the proposed research project while also contributing to the investigator’s research development and career progression. LMIC Spending Requirement At least 80% of direct grant expenses must be spent within low- and middle-income countries. Applicants should therefore develop budgets that demonstrate meaningful use of research resources within LMIC settings. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The programme is specifically designed for early-stage investigators from low- and middle-income countries. Applicants must meet several eligibility requirements. Early-Stage Investigator Requirement Applicants must have obtained their terminal research degree less than 10 years before the application deadline.

Eligible terminal degrees may include:

- PhD. - MD. - MBBS. - Equivalent terminal research or professional degrees. For this funding round, the degree must have been obtained after 30 September 2016. First-Time Principal Investigator Requirement The applicant must be serving as a principal investigator (PI) for the first time. This requirement is intended to help researchers transition into independent research leadership. Previous Grant Funding Limit Applicants must not have previously received a non-training research grant exceeding USD 30,000. This ensures that the programme primarily supports investigators who are still developing their independent research funding record. What Professional Positions Are Eligible? The applicant must hold an appropriate research or professional position at an organization with sufficient research infrastructure. The PI should be one of the following: - A clinical trainee. - A research trainee. - A faculty member. - An individual holding an equivalent academic position. - An individual with an established position at an organization with adequate research infrastructure. The host organization should have the facilities, systems, and capacity necessary to conduct the proposed research. Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must hold a:

- Passport, or - National identity document from a low- or middle-income country as classified by the World Bank. Shortlisted applicants will be required to provide proof of citizenship. Applicants should therefore ensure that their nationality meets the programme’s LMIC eligibility requirements. Is a Mentor Required? Yes. Every applicant must identify a mentor with relevant expertise in paediatric and/or adolescent HIV research. The mentor should provide appropriate scientific and professional guidance throughout the proposed research project.

Applications must include:

- A letter of commitment from the mentor. - A letter of support from the applicant’s institution. These documents demonstrate that the investigator has access to appropriate mentorship and institutional support. What Makes a Strong CIPHER Research Proposal? A strong proposal should address a clearly defined research gap within the programme’s priority areas.

Applicants should demonstrate:

- A significant paediatric or adolescent HIV research problem. - A clear and focused research question. - Relevance to HIV prevention or priority co-morbidities. - Potential to generate useful evidence. - Potential impact on policy or clinical practice. - Appropriate research methods. - Feasibility within two years. - Strong institutional support. - Relevant mentorship. - A realistic budget. - Meaningful research expenditure within LMICs. Why Does the CIPHER Grant Matter? Paediatric and adolescent HIV research remains essential for improving prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term health outcomes. At the same time, early-stage investigators in LMICs may face challenges in obtaining their first major independent research grant. The CIPHER Research Grant Programme addresses b