About

South American Program in HIV Prevention Research (SAPHIR)

The SAPHIR program is an NIH-funded 11-month training program in HIV prevention research in Latin America for pre- and post-doctoral physician researchers from the U.S.  SAPHIR trainees participate in a combined program of didactic and practical training in one of the key areas of HIV prevention research (Behavioral Prevention, Biomedical Prevention, Therapeutics, Epidemiology, Basic/Translational Science, and Health Policy) in Lima, Peru, Rio de Janeiro or Porto Alegre, Brazil. 

SAPHIR trainees work with a pair of mentors from UCLA and one of the collaborating institutions in Peru (Asociacion Civil Impacta Salud y Educacion, Asociacion Civil Via Libre, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, and U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-6) or Brazil (Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz/Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas, Hospital Nostra Senhora da Conceicao). 

Each trainee works with their mentors to develop an individualized training plan in their specific area of research that incorporates two core elements:  

1. Secondary analysis of an existing data set and
2. Creation of an original research proposal.  

In addition, all trainees participate in a structured program of weekly didactic lectures and conferences addressing key issues of HIV prevention research in Latin America.  SAPHIR trainees are provided with transportation to the training site and receive a stipend to help cover living expenses during the program.  Trainees may have the opportunity to compete for seed grant funding to support their original research projects.

The SAPHIR program is funded by the NIH/NIMH R25 MH087222.