Duke/UAB Inter CFAR Contextual Drivers of Health and HIV Pilot Award

• Proposals must include one early-stage investigator (ESI)¹ or an investigator new to HIV research² from each institution to collaborate as multiple principal investigators (MPIs)

¹An Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) is a New Investigator who completed their terminal research degree or medical residency (whichever is later) within the past 10 years and has not previously been awarded a substantial, independent NIH research grant.

²An investigator new to HIV research is an investigator at any career stage who has not previously led or received NIH-funded R-level HIV research support.

• Each application must include one mentor from each participating institution (The Duke and UAB CFARs can assist with identifying an appropriate mentor or mentors, if needed)

Post-doctoral and clinical fellows:

• Require a letter of support from their 

• Applicants with a current K award must have NIH pre-approval

• T32 awardees cannot use the CFAR award for training or stipendsNetworking Opportunities 

• Focus on populations in the United States. Study populations may be recruited from UAB, Duke, both institutions, or other communities, as appropriate to answer the research question.  

• Specify how the findings will be used to support (develop or refine) a subsequent intervention or implementation science research grant application 

  Important: Proposals must clearly describe how pilot findings will support a future intervention development, intervention refinement, pilot testing, or implementation science funding application.

Goal of Mentorship: 

To partner with early-stage investigators or those new to HIV research throughout their pilot award period, by providing guidance, strategic feedback, and professional development to gain independent NIH funding. Mentor–mentee pairings do not need to share identical expertise; complementary areas of knowledge are encouraged to broaden the investigator’s scientific perspective and skill set.

Duke University Mentors

Nrupen Bhavsar, PhD: Dr. Bhavsar is a quantitative epidemiologist with methodological expertise in design and analysis of observational studies that leverage real-world data, including electronic health records (EHR) and Medicare claims. As Director of the Social Informatics Program within the Duke CTSI, he  provides methodological guidance for investigators that want to link neighborhood level social, environmental, and climate data with EHR data to study how contextual factors inform health and health outcomes. Dr. Bhavsar has served as a Co-Investigator on NIH grants examining how bias and structural racism contribute to health disparities. He leads development of the S.E.E.D. Health Atlas, a free, public facing platform that democratizes access to social drivers of health data across the U.S. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Biostatistics and Bioinformatics.

Amy Corneli, PhD, MPH: Dr. Corneli is a social scientist with expertise in qualitative, mixed‑methods, implementation science, and intervention research. Her NIH-funded research focuses on co-designing implementation strategies and interventions on PrEP uptake with community partners for key populations in the U.S. South and Kenya, including a OBGYN resident PrEP prescribing program, social media campaigns, and a community-based stigma reduction intervention. She is a Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences; directs the Duke CFAR Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Core, QualCore, and the BASE Lab; and is a Co-PI of the T32 Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in AIDS at Duke.

Mehri McKellar, MD: Dr. McKellar is an infectious diseases clinician‑researcher specializing in PrEP implementation. Her research focuses on rapid testing in nontraditional settings and expansion of PrEP adoption. She directs the Duke HIV Prevention Clinic and conducts multiple community‑based HIV testing and prevention research, including within syringe‑services and carceral settings. Her funded studies include multiple pharmaceutical‑supported Phase 3 trials of long‑acting HIV treatment regimens, NIH‑funded AIDS training grants, and NIDA‑funded research on optimizing long‑acting PrEP and MOUD in carceral environments. She is a Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases.

Lance Okeke, MD, MPH: Dr. Okeke is an infectious disease clinician‑researcher who uses implementation science and health informatics to reduce health disparities and improve clinical outcomes across the HIV care continuum in the U.S. South. His NIH funded portfolio includes a study leveraging electronic health record data to expand PrEP access and a grant to develop a pharmacy‑based HIV prevention training curriculum. He also leads an HIVworkforce development initiative targeted at HBCUs. He is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Population Health Science; Director of the CFAR Health Services Research Scientific Working Group; and is a Co-PI of the T32 Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in AIDS at Duke.

Tonia Poteat, PhD, MPH: Dr. Poteat uses mixed‑methods and implementation science to understand and improve HIV outcomes in LGBTQ health, centering how intersectional structural stigma impacts transgender communities. Her NIH-funded research focuses on biopsychosocial mechanisms that link stigma and HIV comorbidities among gender minority women. Dr. Poteat is a Professor in the Duke University School of Nursing, Associate Director of the CFAR Developmental Core, and Co-Director of the Duke Sexual and Gender Minority Wellness Program. 

Susan Reif, PhD, MSW: Dr. Reif is a health policy and inequalities researcher using program evaluation, quantitative analysis, and policy research to target HIV risk reduction and care in the Deep South. Her funding portfolio includes studies that evaluate the integration of HIV and substance use treatment programs and research addressing inequities in HIV prevention and care infrastructure for minority populations across Southern states. Dr. Reif is a Research Scholar in the Center of Health Policy & Inequities Research in the Duke Global Health Institute. 

Michael Relf, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN: Dr. Relf conducts mixed‑methods research on psychosocial drivers of HIV outcomes, including stigma, discrimination, intimate partner violence, and engagement in HIV care – domestically and globally. His funded work includes a Fogarty‑supported stigma‑reduction trial for women living with HIV in Tanzania and U.S.‑based adaptations of internalized stigma interventions. Dr. Relf is Dean and the Mary T. Champagne Distinguished Professor of Nursing of the Duke University School of Nursing; Research Professor in the Duke Global Health Institute; and Associate Director of the CFAR Social and Behavioral Sciences Core.

Sadie Wilson, PhD: Dr. Wilson is an implementation scientist whose work centers on expanding equitable access to HIV‑related care through integrating community‑driven, co‑designed implementation strategies and behavioral science. Her HIV research portfolio includes an NIH-funded grant to develop and evaluate community-facing implementation strategies to extend reach of EHR data and expand PrEP access as well as multiple VA‑funded implementation studies. Dr. Wilson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences in the Duke School of Medicine; Research Investigator at the Veterans Affairs Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation; serves as Associate Director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Core and Director of the Community Engagement Team; and is core faculty on the Dissemination & Implementation Team within the Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute.

Lawrence Yang, PhD: Dr. Yang investigates stigma as a multilevel driver of HIV and other health outcomes, including mental health and substance use, drawing on psychiatric epidemiology, implementation science, and culturally informed frameworks. His HIV‑focused portfolio includes NIH-funded studies examining stigma and culturally salient determinants of HIV outcomes in Botswana, advancing implementation research capacity in Vietnam, and reducing stigma around MOUDs in North Carolina. Dr. Yang is a Distinguished Professor of Nursing at Duke University School of Nursing and Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences. He is also an Associate Director of the CFAR Social and Behavioral Sciences Core.

UAB Mentors

Emma Kay, PhD: Dr. Kay is a behavioral scientist whose research uses implementation science, digital health, and community-engaged approaches to improve HIV prevention and care. Her work focuses on developing and evaluating strategies that increase equitable access to HIV prevention services, including PrEP, and strengthen implementation of evidence-based interventions in community settings. Dr. Kay is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and collaborates on multidisciplinary HIV implementation research.

Robin Lanzi, PhD, MPH: Dr. Lanzi is a behavioral scientist whose research uses implementation science and community-engaged approaches to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities among underserved populations. Her work emphasizes translating evidence-based interventions into real-world settings through partnerships with families, healthcare systems, and communities. Dr. Lanzi is a Professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health.

Ann Namkung, DrPH, MPH: Dr. Namkung is a physician-scientist whose research examines behavioral and metabolic determinants of chronic disease using translational and implementation science approaches. Her work focuses on improving healthcare delivery for individuals with complex medical and behavioral health conditions and advancing equitable models of chronic disease management. Dr. Namkung is also currently serving as the Program Director for the UAB Implementation Science Consultation Hub. 

Mirjam-Colette Kempf, PhD, MPH: Dr. Kempf is a nurse scientist whose research uses implementation science and behavioral interventions to improve outcomes for people living with HIV. Her funded work examines strategies to improve antiretroviral adherence, symptom management, and healthy aging while addressing disparities in HIV care among underserved populations. Dr. Kempf is a Professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing and is Co-Director of the UAB Developmental Core.

Jessica Corcoran, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, CNE: Dr. Corcoran is a social work researcher whose scholarship uses implementation science and evidence-based intervention research to improve behavioral health and family well-being. Her work focuses on translating effective interventions into community settings to improve outcomes for vulnerable children, families, and underserved populations. Dr. Corcoran is a Professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Social Work.

Crystal Chapman Lambert, PhD, MSN: Dr. Chapman Lambert is a social and behavioral scientist whose research uses community-engaged and implementation science approaches to advance HIV prevention and health equity among Black communities in the U.S. South. Her funded work focuses on addressing structural and social determinants of HIV, increasing equitable access to prevention services, and developing culturally responsive interventions to reduce HIV disparities. Dr. Chapman Lambert is an Associate Professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health.

Michael Mugavero, MD, MHSc: Dr. Mugavero is an infectious diseases clinician-researcher whose work uses implementation science and health services research to improve engagement across the HIV care continuum. His NIH-funded research focuses on strategies to improve retention in HIV care, optimize treatment outcomes, and reduce disparities through patient-centered and health system interventions. Dr. Mugavero is a Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Director of the Center for Outcomes Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE), and a Co-Director within the UAB Center for AIDS Research.

Katia Bruxvoort, PhD: Dr. Bruxvoort is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health. She is an epidemiologist with broad interests in infectious disease prevention, including improving uptake of and adherence to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, screening and diagnostics, and medication adherence. Dr. Bruxvoort has extensive experience in designing and leading studies using electronic health records, randomized trials, and large-scale surveys. Her overall goal is to conduct high quality research that improves clinical care and public health among underserved populations in diverse settings. Dr. Bruxvoort is also a Co-Investigator within the UAB Global Health and Reciprocal Innovations strategic working group. 

These topic areas are illustrative rather than exhaustive; applicants may propose additional contextual factors relevant to HIV prevention and care, provided the proposal includes a well-defined plan for translation of findings into intervention development/refinement or implementation strategies and pilot testing. 

For planning purposes, a Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for all applications. Applicants who submit an LOI are encouraged to proceed with submission of a full application. The LOI must be submitted through the LOI submission form and will include the following information:

1. Contact information for each MPI, including name, degree(s), institution, department, academic position, and email address.
2. Contact information for the proposed mentor(s) from each institution.

3. A descriptive title, study objectives, and an overview of the proposed research methods.

Note: Applicants are encouraged to request CFAR pre-submission services through the LOI submission form. By selecting the consultation and services request option, applicants can be connected with available CFAR resources, expertise, and pre-submission support relevant to their proposed project.

Submit the required LOI through the CFAR LOI submission link by October 1, 2026.

CFARs are unable to fund clinical trials; however, projects involving clinical research (e.g., observational studies or sub-studies using existing data from an ongoing clinical trial that do not introduce an intervention) may be funded by the CFARs. The NIH definition of a clinical trial is very broad, and some investigators conducting human subjects research may not be aware that NIH considers their study to be a clinical trial. Use the NIH Clinical Trial Decision Tool to determine whether your proposed research is considered a clinical trial by NIH. Start dates for funded awards involving clinical research entailing greater than minimal risk to the subjects will be dependent on IRB approvals and the date that the NIH issues clearance for the project. 

The Duke and UAB CFARs are committed to fostering collaborative, community-centered research by facilitating connections and communication between CFAR researchers and community members. We aim to ensure that research at Duke and UAB is informed by community needs and perspectives, while also enhancing the reach and impact of our studies by supporting the effective dissemination and application of findings within community settings. If you would like support with community engagement activities for your proposal, please reach out to Lizzy Knippler (elizabeth.knippler@duke.edu) at Duke and Emily Knighton-Akins (eknighton@uabmc.edu) at UAB.

The Community-Facing Summary will be scored and should address the public health issue, hypothesis if applicable, proposed approach and methods, anticipated findings, downstream community impact, and long-term public health relevance.

Applications must contain the following components in order and be submitted as one complete PDF document. (No SPS Record required)

1. The completed Checklist/Cover Sheet with signatures

2. Research Proposal (4-page maximum -page count does not include references)

3. Community-Facing Summary (300-word limit)

4. Budget and Budget Justification (NIH 398 form page)

5. NIH Biosketches of MPIs (NIH format page)

6. NIH Biosketches of Mentors (NIH format page)

7. Project Leadership Plan (300-word limit)

8. Other supporting documents; including letters of support (if required)

Applications should be prepared as a single PDF file, using the proper naming convention (e.g. first initial.lastname.cfar.CDOH2026), and uploaded directly to: CDOH APPLICATION SUBMISSION LINK

Email your completed application to the address above. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful submission. If you do not receive confirmation within a few minutes, please resubmit. Questions concerning the application or submission should be directed to the CFAR Developmental Core.

Applications will be reviewed by the CFAR Study Section, with additional expert reviewers consulted as needed. All applicants will receive written feedback, regardless of funding outcome.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Scientific merit, innovation, and relevance to NIH HIV/AIDS research

• Potential to generate future independent funding

• Potential to engage investigators new to HIV research

• Potential to foster new collaborations among CFAR investigators

All awards are subject to NIH approval prior to project initiation and release of CFAR funds. CFAR Administrators will guide awardees through this process.