MACC Scholars Program Cohort 3 (2024 – 2025)

The Mid-Atlantic Centers for AIDS Research Consortium (MACC) Scholars Program is excited to announce this invitation to apply to be a MACC Scholar in the third cohort of early stage career investigators. The MACC Scholars Program is a collaboration between the District of Columbia (DC) CFAR, the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) CFAR, and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) CFAR. The goal of the MACC Scholars Program is to support the development of new investigators with an interest in HIV among diverse populations in the Mid-Atlantic regions, and to encourage their development as independent, HIV investigators. MACC Scholars from the first two cohorts have had remarkable accomplishments thus far. These include K- and R-series grants being successfully funded, obtaining leadership positions at CFAR-affiliated institutions, and achievement of research independence following program participation.  

Resources Available: 
All Scholars will receive professional mentorship from MACC Scholar faculty at each of the collaborating CFARs and the opportunity to network with CFAR membership as they build their careers. All Scholars are expected to propose a pilot project. The pilot project is intended to contribute to an increased understanding of HIV among highly impacted populations as well as serve as preliminary data for future NIH proposals.
Up to $20,000 total costs can be used to implement a new pilot research project of which up to $5,000 can be used to enhance professional opportunities. This can include up to 10% faculty time if coverage is required to conduct the pilot, funds to conduct the study, attend conferences, receive leadership or scientific training, travel to other CFARs, or other costs as justified by the applicant. 

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be early stage investigators based on the NIH definition (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-stage/index.htm) and must be faculty at the affiliated institution or (for JHU and Penn only) a fellow or post-doctoral scholar. 
  • Applicants must be a United States citizen or permanent resident. 
  • Members of racial, ethnic, and other groups underrepresented in research are strongly encouraged to apply (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html).
  • Applicants must be affiliated with the one of the three participating CFARs or with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) in the Mid-Atlantic region.
  • While applicants who have received previous mentorship through similar scholar programs are eligible to apply, preference for those who have never had access to formal mentoring programs may be given.
  • Please note funds will only be awarded to organizations and institutions that can accept federal funding and that are able to engage contractually with the CFAR institution that is granting the award. Funds cannot be given directly to individuals. 
  • Relatives of MACC faculty or staff are ineligible.

Selection Process:

MACC Scholar faculty and staff will review each application holistically. Particular attention will be paid to the following: a) Strength of project proposal; b) demonstration of rationale for needing mentorship at this point in time; c) strength of letter of recommendation; and d) likelihood that the proposed project and mentoring will lead to future independent NIH funding for the applicant. 

Important Dates:

  • RFP Opens:  23 October 2023
  • Application Due Date:  15 December 2023
  • Award Announcement: 22 December 2023
  • Start Date: 01 January 2024 

How To Apply:

Eligible applicants are invited to submit the following:

1. Cover letter, Please include a discussion of:

  • Mentorship needs (1 paragraph) 
  • Career goals and objectives (1/2 page) and how the MACC Scholars program will help achieve them
  • Applicant eligibility
  • Engagement in past formal mentoring programs
  • If desired, up to two potential MACC CFAR faculty can be named (not required)

2. Project proposal 

  • Proposed specific aims for the 1 year study (2 pages). Primary data collection as well as secondary data analyses are allowable. Clinical trials are not allowed
  • Indicate how the proposed project will lead to future independent NIH funding 

3. Biosketch

4. Recommendation 

  • Letter of recommendation from sponsoring CFAR Director or Core Director (only one letter required)

5. Budget*

  • Budget spreadsheet
  • Budget justification

* Note: The maximum award is $20,000 total (direct + indirect costs) and can include up to 10% FTE for the Scholar if needed to conduct the study and up to $5,000 professional enhancement funds. Funds are expected to be paid over the one year project period; however, approval of a one-year no cost extension may be granted. 

Please consolidate all requested materials into a single PDF, and upload to the following link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MACCScholar2023. 

Please title the email MACC_2024. Learn more about our previous MACC scholars here.

For more questions, please write the following MACC Contacts:

Johns Hopkins University CFAR:

Erin Cooney (ecooney2@jhmi.edu)

George Washington CFAR:

Dr. Manya Magnus  (manyadm@gwu.edu )

University of Pennsylvania CFAR:

Steven Meanley, PhD (smeanley@nursing.upenn.edu )