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Apply for research training at UCSF through The Ujima Mentoring Program

We are no longer accepting applications for our inaugural cohort of Ujima scholars who focus their programs of research on high priority areas that address HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and care in Black/African American communities and through shared lived experiences, deep understanding of social and cultural experiences as well as the intersecting social and structural determinants of health and health inequities experienced by Black/African American communities. Ujima scholars' research must focus on reducing HIV-related health disparities among this population.

Who is Eligible?

The Ujima Mentoring Program is for early-career faculty whose programs of research focus on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and care in Black/African American communities in high-priority areas. Individuals who meet the following administrative and program criteria are encouraged to apply.

1. Administrative criteria

To be eligible for the program, the applicant must:

  • Be a US citizen or permanent resident.
  • Have a faculty or equivalent appointment at an institution that is capable of directly receiving NIH research funding.
  • Meet the NIH definition of an early-stage investigator.
  • Provide a letter that indicates institutional support for program participation.

2. Program criteria

To be selected for the program, the applicant must demonstrate:

  • Lived experience or extensive research expertise with Black/African American communities and capacity to conduct research that addresses HIV-related health inequities among this population.
  • Development of a research team – committed to professional development and available to participate for the full program period – that includes:
    • early-stage investigator (scholar)
    • senior faculty mentor affiliated with one of the NIMH-funded ARCs (ARC mentor) who has a history of independent NIH funding in HIV/AIDS and possesses strong mentorship experience including with Under-Represented Minority Early Stage Investigators (URM ESIs)
    • senior faculty mentor from the scholar’s home or similar institution (local mentor) who will help guide the scholar in navigating their institution as well as sponsor and support the scholar in their local context

Scholar and Mentor Commitments

Before applying, please review the information about the commitments the Scholar and their Mentor(s) are making to participate in the program. These commitments are available at this page.