Major Research Funding for Early-Career Investigators Advancing HIV Science
Organization: Gilead Sciences
Support Type: Research grants
Geographic Focus: United States
About the Funder
Gilead Sciences is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing innovative medicines and improving health outcomes worldwide. Through its Research Scholars Program, Gilead invests in early-career investigators whose work addresses critical gaps in scientific knowledge and advances progress in areas of unmet medical need—particularly HIV.
Since 2008, the program has awarded over $36 million to more than 300 researchers globally.
What This Program Supports
The Gilead Research Scholars Program supports innovative HIV-related research led by early-career investigators in the United States.
Focus areas include:
- Clinical, behavioral, and epidemiological research
- Community-based participatory research
- HIV prevention and treatment strategies
- HIV cure research (basic science)
- Health inequities and disparities in HIV care
- Management of comorbidities and co-infections (e.g., HIV and aging)
- Digital health, data science, and AI applications
- Health economics and outcomes research
Strong proposals will:
- Address unmet needs or scientific knowledge gaps in HIV
- Demonstrate innovation and feasibility
- Incorporate new perspectives or methodologies
- Show potential for meaningful clinical or public health impact
Eligible Support Types
- Research funding for early-career (junior faculty) investigators
- Institutional support for HIV-related research projects
Eligibility & Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be early-career/junior faculty researchers
- Be affiliated with a U.S.-based institution (funding is paid to the institution)
- Propose research aligned with HIV scientific priorities and unmet needs
Applications are reviewed by an independent Scientific Review Committee composed of leading experts in HIV research.
Funding Amounts
- Up to $180,000 total per award
- Paid over 2 years (up to $90,000 per year)
- Funding for year two is contingent on progress reporting and approval
Gilead expects to fund a minimum of 4–6 awards in this cycle.
Timeline & Review
📅 Informational Session: May 5, 2026 (virtual)
📅 Round 1 Deadline (Specific Aims): June 25, 2026
📅 Round 2 Deadline (Full Proposal – by invitation): October 15, 2026
📅 Notifications:
- Round 1: August 2026
- Round 2: January 2027
Only top applicants from Round 1 will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Application Process
The application process includes two phases:
Round 1:
- Submit a one-page Specific Aims document
Round 2 (by invitation only):
- Submit a detailed five-page research proposal
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Scientific merit
- Innovation
- Feasibility
- Potential impact
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://researchscholars.gilead.com/hiv_us/program-specifics/overview
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This program is ideal for:
- Early-career researchers focused on HIV
- Academic institutions supporting innovative research
- Investigators exploring health inequities, prevention, or cure strategies
- Projects leveraging data science, AI, or community-based approaches
With significant funding and national recognition, this is a highly competitive opportunity for emerging leaders in HIV research.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Two-stage competitive process
Typical Award Size: $180,000 over 2 years
Deadline: June 25, 2026 (Round 1)
Best Suited For: Junior faculty researchers in HIV-related fields at U.S. institutions
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