Interested in community-based research and inequalities in HIV/AIDS? Need help competing for research grants? Looking for sustained mentorship and access to a critical mass of HIV research activity?
The REIDS Program
The demographics of the HIV epidemic show a disproportionate rate of infection and transmission among racially and economically disadvantaged groups. Yet research scientists from groups and communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS remain significantly underrepresented among funded HIV researchers.
Developed by researchers Drs. Barbara Guthrie, Jean Schensul and Merrill Singer, REIDS is a unique partnership that brings together the resources and expertise of four organizations: the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA), the Yale School of Nursing (YSN), The Institute for Community Research and the University of Connecticut's Center for Health, Intervention, and Prevention. The program aims to provide scholars from underrepresented racial, ethnic, disabled and economic groups with the skills and experience needed to become successful HIV researchers.
The REIDS program was designed to meet the challenges and barriers to advancement experienced by groups who are underrepresented in the field of HIV research. The program is unique for its focus on research that investigates the social determinants or root causes of HIV inequities using Community-Based Research (CBR) methods. Scholars will benefit from an unprecedented array of support and project-based resources spanning CIRA, ICR, YSN and CHIP. Each of these partners has extensive experience in health inequalities, HIV and mental health research - including community-based research theory, methods and practice - as well as in the development and mentoring of aspiring research scientists. The REIDS program and its curriculum evolved from the rich history of collaboration between the consortium PIs and as an extension of long-standing institutional alliances with CIRA.
REIDS scholars will attend a six-week Summer Institute at CIRA for two consecutive summers and receive sustained mentorship for the duration of the program; undertake site visits to ICR, YSN and CHIP to meet investigators and project staff to review applied Community Based Research analysis using community "case studies"; receive comprehensive and sustained mentorship from a senior HIV research scientist; gain access to secondary mentors for special topical/technical support; and complete a $20,000 pilot research project as a means to developing a major grant application to an external funding agency.
Awards and Compensation
Five scholarships will be awarded in 2012, with participants attaching to the program for 2 years. The 2012 Summer Institute will run from June 11th to July 20th. Scholars will be appointed as "Yale Visiting Research Scholars" and have the opportunity to develop and complete their own pilot research projects. Successful applicants will receive up to $1,000 for round-trip travel to New Haven, a $3,000 summer stipend, fully subsidized accommodation and $2,000 for food.
Who should apply?
The REIDS applications process for the 2012 Summer Institute has officially ended.
