Mid-Atlantic CFAR Consortium (MACC)
MACC Scholars Program Cohort 5 2026-2027
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 fifth 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 four 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.
Resources and budget requirements differ for each CFAR. It is recommended that prospective applicants reach out to the contact at their institution before applying. Applicants applying through the DC CFAR and Penn CFAR may propose budgets of up to $20,000 direct costs. Applicants affiliated with the JHU CFAR may request up to $40,000 in direct costs. Funds can be used to implement a new pilot research project of which up to $5,000 can be used to enhance professional opportunities. Pilot projects may include secondary data analysis or propose new data collection. Budgets can include up to 10% faculty time if coverage is required to conduct the work. Funds may also be used to implement the study, attend conferences, receive leadership or scientific training, travel to other CFARs, or other costs as justified by the applicant. In general, it is not possible to include a foreign subaward. However, each CFAR can provide detailed guidance. In some limited cases, foreign components may be possible (e.g., work in Botswana may be done through the Penn CFAR).
NOTICE: We anticipate and are hopeful that funding from the NIH will enable the us to support the MACC Scholars Program for the duration of the proposed Scholarship period. However, continuation of the MACC Scholars program for the upcoming budget year is dependent on the NIH’s budgetary priorities, which are outside of our control.
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.
- Applicants must be affiliated with 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: 26 November 2025
- Application due date: 5 January 2026
- Award Announcement: 15 January 2026
- Start date: 1 February 2026
How To Apply:
Eligible applicants are invited to submit the following:
Cover letter
Please include a discussion of:
a. Mentorship needs (1 paragraph)
b. Career goals and objectives (1/2 page) and how the MACC Scholars program will help achieve them
c. Applicant eligibility
d. Engagement in past formal mentoring programs
e. If desired, up to two potential MACC CFAR faculty can be named (not required)
Project proposal
a. 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
b. Indicate how the proposed project will lead to future independent NIH funding
Biosketch
a. NIH Biosketch (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm)
Recommendation
a. Letter of recommendation from sponsoring CFAR Director or Core Director (only one letter required).
b. This letter is optional (*not required*) for applicants from the DC CFAR. It is strongly encouraged for applicants from JHU and Penn. Please reach out to the institutional contact listed below if you need to be connected to a CFAR Director.
Budget*
a. Budget spreadsheet
b. Budget justification
* Note: The maximum award is $20,000 for Penn and DC and $40,000 for JHU, which 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, pending continuation of NIH funding.
Please consolidate all requested materials into a single PDF, and upload to the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MACCScholar2025.
For more questions, please write the following MACC Contacts:
Johns Hopkins University CFAR:
Dr. Erin Cooney (email: ecooney2@jhmi.edu)District of Columbia CFAR:
Dr. Manya Magnus (email: manyadm@gwu.edu )
University of Pennsylvania CFAR:
Dr. Steven Meanley (smeanley@nursing.upenn.edu)
