Duke CFAR Open Call for Scientific Working Group (SWG) Ideas
As part of the Duke Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) renewal, we are launching an open call for new Scientific Working Group (SWG) ideas aligned with CFAR strategic priorities and emerging areas of HIV research.
Scientific Working Groups are collaborative, multidisciplinary teams of investigators organized around a focused scientific area that represents a critical gap or opportunity for growth within the CFAR. SWGs are designed to promote innovative, cross-disciplinary research, foster new collaborations, and support the development of high-impact research programs.
This initiative seeks champion-led concepts that:
- Address underdeveloped or emerging areas of HIV research
- Bring together investigators across disciplines and career stages
- Promote collaboration across CFAR cores and programs
- Have the potential to generate new funding, research outputs, and sustained scientific impact
Investigators are encouraged to develop ideas collaboratively, although individual submissions are also welcome.
Submission Requirements
Download the SWG IDEA SUBMISSION FORM
Complete the SWG Idea Submission form and upload to July202.yzo02fij2y1isqsn@u.box.com by July 16, 2026
Simply email your completed form to the above address. You will receive a confirmation email stating that your upload was successful. If you do not receive confirmation within a few minutes of submission, your application was not submitted, and you should try again.
Idea submissions will be introduced at the CFAR Executive Committee Meeting at noon on July 20, 2026.
Select applicants will be invited to submit a full SWG application (download HERE).
Eligible applicants include:
- Duke-affiliated investigators engaged in or interested in HIV research
- Faculty across basic, clinical, social/behavioral, and population sciences
- Early-stage investigators and those new to HIV research
Participation from multidisciplinary teams is strongly encouraged, though not required at the time of initial submission.
SWGs are designed to accelerate scientific discovery and program development in areas that are not yet fully established within Duke CFAR.
- Promote cross-disciplinary collaboration across CFAR cores and programs
- Support early-stage investigators and investigators new to HIV research
- Develop pilot projects, workshops, working sessions, and grant concepts
- Generate new collaborations, grant submissions, funded research, and sustained program growth
Selected SWG will receive CFAR support that may include:
- Salary support (effort) for SWG Director(s) to provide scientific leadership and coordination
- Up to $10,000 per year to support SWG-related activities and pilot initiatives, such as:
- Collaborative research development
- Pilot projects
- Workshops and working sessions
- Grant planning and team-building activities
- Administrative and coordination support, as appropriate
Project duration, level of support, and continuation will be determined based on scientific progress, alignment with CFAR priorities, and overall programmatic impact.
Stage 1: Concept Submission - Due by July 16, 2026
Applicants submit a brief concept focused on the scientific area, gap or opportunity, and potential collaborators.
Stage 2: Invited Full Proposal - Due late August 2026
Selected teams submit a research plan, budget, expanded team, activities, and expected outcomes.
- June 26: Call materials distributed
- July 15: Stage 1 idea submission deadline
- July 20: Open session for idea presentations and feedback
- August: Invited full proposals due
INFORMATION FROM the latest CFAR PAR (Expired PAR-17-247)
Specific Aims: Describe the specific aims of the SWG and how the activities of the SWG will expand and promote the research priorities of the CFAR. Describe how the SWG will provide contributions to enhance, increase, improve or stimulate the HIV/AIDS research conducted at the institution(s).
Research Strategy: Describe the role of the SWG within the CFAR as a whole, and how the SWG will advance the mission, purpose and structure of the CFAR. Explain the rationale for selection of the specific area of scientific focus and the approaches proposed to accomplish the specific aims.
- Describe the overall purpose of the SWG, and provide a management plan that addresses, for example, efforts to reach out to investigators in targeted scientific fields, activities to identify gaps in research in specific HIV/AIDS areas that might benefit from targeted approaches, or plans to bring specific investigators together for sharing of expertise and technique over and above such opportunities provided elsewhere within the Center.
- Describe the extent to which the SWG provides added value to NIH-funded HIV/AIDS research conducted at the institution(s).
- Describe how the SWG will foster synergy and enhance HIV/AIDS research collaborations, including bringing in investigators from outside the field.
- Describe how the SWG will enhance proposed scientific communication, outreach, and training efforts.
- Describe the plans for collaboration of the SWG with CFAR Cores.
- Indicate how early career investigators in the HIV/AIDS research area or faculty new to the HIV/AIDS research area will benefit from participation in the SWG.
- Describe the process used by the SWG for prioritizing the activities of the SWG.
- Describe how progress towards the specific aims will be measured.
- Describe the Policies and Procedures for the proposed SWG, including for example, how decisions are made, frequency of internal progress reporting, and internal evaluation of progress including strategic planning processes.
- Describe the process for initiation and termination of the SWG, any membership requirements, and how the selected members will contribute significantly to the success of the SWG.
- Provide details on how the SWG is multidisciplinary and will assure a high degree of interaction.
- Describe how a SWG will encourage new collaborations and identify potential high impact studies.