CHIPTS Mentored Pilot Grant Program

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Center for HIV, Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services (CHIPTS) is proud to announce our 2026 Mentored Pilot Grant Program for emerging and new investigators (ranging from Doctoral Students to Assistant Professors). Through this grant program, applicants will obtain individualized, mentored research from engaged and committed faculty mentor/sponsors while conducting a well-defined research project. The successful completion of the proposed mentored research project is expected to enhance emerging and new investigators’ potential to develop into productive, independent research scientists.

We are committed to strengthening the health-related research workforce, and encourage proposals led by individuals from all backgrounds in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research fields.

Proposed projects submitted for this funding cycle should build on existing IRB-approved studies and focus on secondary data analysis. This funding cycle will not support new primary data collection. If amendments or exemptions to the IRB are needed, they must be submitted within one week of receiving the notice of selection of funding. IRB approval or exemption should then be obtained within one month of the IRB submission date. It is expected that the Principal Investigator (PI) will take responsibility for managing the IRB submission process to ensure all deadlines are met.

Proposals must contribute towards CHIPTS scientific theme of addressing the intersection of HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention and mental health and/or substance use co-morbidities. We encourage submissions that specifically address social and structural determinants of health, resiliency, and protective factors, and the intersection of HIV/AIDS with sexually transmitted infections, substance use and mental health disorders. Exploring HIV-related health outcomes (e.g., HIV testing; PrEP uptake, adherence, continuation; HIV care continuum), and the impact of disruptors on HIV prevention, substance use, and/or mental health services are also encouraged. Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate a clear and direct impact on the local, regional, or national epidemic in the U.S.

Proposals may budget up to $45,000 in direct costs with total costs not exceeding $56,700. Doctoral students are limited to a budget of up to $15,000 in direct costs with total costs not exceeding $18,900. Projects must be able to be completed within 12 months, and all funds must be spent by November 1, 2026.

It is anticipated that at least two awards will be made. As previously noted, proposed projects must leverage existing UCLA IRB-approved studies for secondary data analysis. This funding cycle will not support any new primary data collection. If amendments or exemptions are required, IRB submissions should be made within one week of receiving the funding notification and obtained within a month of IRB submission. Investigators from any Southern California university, college, healthcare organization, or community-based organization (CBO) may apply but must work with a UCLA CHIPTS faculty mentor/sponsor on the proposal draft application prior to submission (see below) and be able to meet the required deadlines.

Application Submission

Applications are due Tuesday, September 2, 2025, by 11:59pm Pacific Time. Please use the email subject line: [Application] 2026 CHIPTS Mentored Pilot Grant_ [Applicant Name] and submit by email to Damilola Jolayemi, Associate Core Director at (OJolayemi@mednet.ucla.edu).

Notice of funding decisions will be made by Monday, October 27, 2025.

• 2026 CHIPTS Mentored Pilot Grant Call
• Submission Cover Page 

Any Questions

Send an email to:

Jesse Clark, MD, MSc, Development Core Director, Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services (CHIPTS)

E-mail: jlclark@mednet.ucla.edu

Information on CHIPTS faculty mentors can be found on our website: https://chipts.ucla.edu/people/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)