The Developmental Core has made a significant impact on HIV/AIDS research programs since the inception of the UAB CFAR. The primary tool of the Developmental Core is the Developmental Grant Program which funds peer reviewed intramural HIV/AIDS related research grants targeted to junior faculty members and investigators new to the HIV/AIDS field.

Through the Developmental Core $1,949,115 has been used to competitively fund a total of 87 grants, selected from 235 applications submitted to the UAB CFAR Developmental Grant Program. This investment has yielded $48,252,735 in extramural grant direct cost funding for a return on investment of $24.76 for every $1 of Developmental Grant Program money.

Embedded in the Developmental Grant Program is the core’s mentoring program. Applicants are provided an experienced mentor from the CFAR Executive Board or CFAR Core Director in a related research area to the proposed project.

The Specific Aims of the Developmental core are:

1. To administer the highly successful CFAR Developmental Grant Program.

2. To provide faculty development resources to HIV/AIDS investigators.