CIPHER Research Grant Programme 2026/2027

Who can apply

• Early-stage investigators from low- and middle-income countries
• Researchers holding an MD, PhD, MBBS or equivalent terminal research degree
• Clinical or research trainees at eligible academic or research institutions
• Faculty members or equivalent researchers at academic or research institutions
• Researchers holding established positions at organisations with adequate research infrastructure
• Eligible researchers working in non-governmental organisations
• Investigators applying as Principal Investigator for the first time on a substantial non-training research grant

Focus areas

• Paediatric HIV
• Adolescent HIV
• Prevention of vertical HIV transmission
• HIV prevention among adolescents and young people
• Cardiometabolic conditions among children and adolescents affected by HIV
• Hepatitis co-infection
• Tuberculosis co-infection
• Paediatric and adolescent HIV clinical research
• Operational HIV research
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses addressing eligible research questions
• Generation of preliminary evidence for larger HIV research

Requirements

• The applicant must be the Principal Investigator of the proposed research project.
• The applicant must have obtained an MD, PhD, MBBS or equivalent terminal research degree after 30 September 2016.
• Master’s degrees and MPH qualifications alone are not considered qualifying terminal research degrees.
• The investigator must be serving for the first time as Principal Investigator on a substantial non-training research grant.
• Applicants who previously served as PI on a non-training grant exceeding US$30,000 are not eligible.
• The applicant must hold a qualifying research, academic, clinical or organisational position by the 30 September 2026 deadline.
• The applicant must hold citizenship of a low- or middle-income country.
• The applicant must identify a mentor with relevant expertise in paediatric and/or adolescent HIV research.
• A mentor commitment letter is required at the Letter of Intent stage.
• A letter of support from the applicant’s institution is required.
• The proposed research must address the current CIPHER thematic priorities.
• At least 80% of direct grant expenditure must occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• The host institution must have adequate research infrastructure to support implementation.
• Institutional indirect costs may not exceed 10%.

Application steps

• Review the official CIPHER Research Grant Programme 2026/2027 Call for Letters of Intent and FAQs.
• Confirm that the Principal Investigator meets the early-stage investigator and LMIC citizenship requirements.
• Select a research question aligned with the current paediatric and adolescent HIV thematic priorities.
• Identify an eligible mentor with relevant HIV research expertise.
• Prepare the Letter of Intent outlining the research background, specific aims, preliminary data where available and methodology.
• Obtain the required institutional support letter.
• Obtain the mentor’s letter of commitment.
• Prepare a scanned copy of the applicant’s qualifying terminal research degree.
• Complete the official online Letter of Intent submission form.
• Submit the Letter of Intent in English or French through the IAS online system by 30 September 2026 at 18:00 CEST.
• Shortlisted applicants will be notified by the end of November 2026 and invited to submit a full proposal by 30 January 2027.