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Mathilde Krim Fellowships: Request for Proposals

Request for Proposals

Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Biomedical Research

Maximum funding: Phase 1: $180,000; Phase 2: $50,000
Phase 1 performance period: April 1, 2026–March 31, 2028

Deadlines

Register for portal access and instructions (REQUIRED):
3:00 PM ET, September 30, 2025

Letter of intent submission:
3:00 PM ET, October 7, 2025

Informational Webinar

Thursday, September 25, 2025, 1:00–2:00 PM ET

Click here to register for the webinar

Background

amfAR’s Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Biomedical Research help facilitate the exceptional postdoctoral researcher’s transition to an independent career in HIV/AIDS research within an academic institution or nonprofit organization.

  • Phase 1: Support up to two years of postdoctoral biomedical HIV research.
  • Phase 2: One additional year of funding is available if the fellow secures an independent research position at an academic institution or nonprofit organization before the end of or within six months following the Phase 1 performance period.
  • Unexpended funds from Phase 1 may be carried forward to increase the amount avaiable for Phase 2.

Applicant Eligibility and Qualifications

Applicants must:

  • hold a research or clinical doctorate completed approximately three to six years prior to October 1, 2025 (i.e., between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2022, refer to eligibility window shown in the figure below);
    • The window for Ph.D. candidates starts from the date of successful dissertation defense; the window for M.D., Ph.D. candidates starts with the most recent of the internship completion or successful dissertation defense dates.
    • Allowances are made for medical and family leave and military service after the start date of the eligibility window.

    • Exceptions to the eligibility window may be made on a case-by-case basis for candidates with an established track record of outstanding contributions to the field. Requests for exceptions may be made in the eligibility details form to be submitted with the LOI.  
  • propose biomedical research relevant to the prevention, treatment, or cure of HIV;
    • The following types of research are not eligible and will not be reviewed: epidemiological studies, behavioral or social science research, health services research, policy or implementation science studies.
  • be the first author on at least one impactful publication in a leading peer-reviewed journal;
  • propose a line of research sufficiently distinct from the mentor’s own research that it indicates a trajectory toward future independence;
  • have made oral and poster presentations at major scientific conferences and meetings;
  • be positioned to secure an independent research position no later than October 1, 2028;
  • be affiliated with a nonprofit research institution anywhere in the world; and
  • be mentored by an experienced investigator at the same institution who: (a) is qualified to oversee the proposed research; and (b) has successfully supervised postdoctoral fellows. Co-mentors are allowed.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Prospective applicants must request portal access and complete and submit a letter of intent (LOI) via the portal. Complete information and required forms are available in the portal. There is no penalty if you request access and decide not to submit.

Step 1:

Requests for portal access must be submitted no later than 3:00 PM ET on September 30, 2025. You will be directed to instructions and a link to register for the portal. Required forms and additional guidance will be available in the portal.

Step 2: Use the portal to complete the LOI, including:

  • Fellow’s eligibility details (template in portal)
  • Fellow and mentor’s biographical sketches and mentor’s list of Fellows supervised
  • project title, abstract, hypothesis, and specific aims
  • career statements
  • resources and environment form (template in portal)
  • signature form (template in portal)

LOIs must be submitted no later than 3:00 PM ET, October 7, 2025. Deadline extensions will not be allowed.

REVIEW

LOIs will be reviewed by amfAR staff to verify applicant eligibility and qualifications. The best-qualified eligible applicants will be invited to submit complete applications proposing original biomedical HIV research to be conducted during the two-year Phase 1 fellowship period. Applications will be assessed by external and independent peer review.

The LOI and application process is highly competitive. Only a limited number of investigators will be invited to apply, and only a few applicants will receive funding. An LOI or application invitation does not guarantee funding.

Funding Restrictions

Phase 1

  • Maximum funding: $180,000 including maximum 15% indirect costs.
  • Salary support is allowed at a maximum of $130,000 (including indirect costs) for the fellow for the two-year period; time and effort on the fellowship research project must be at least 50%. If additional salary funds are needed, they must come from other non-project specific sources available to the institution.
  • The balance of direct costs is available to support research costs, fringe benefits, or additional personnel contributing time and effort to the project.
  • The grantee Institution is required to provide funds or in-kind support to enhance the career development of the fellow (e.g., CFAR development funds; mentoring program; reduced-rate use of core facilities; attendance at an NIH grant-writing workshop, or a similar training activity; etc.).

Phase 2

  • An additional $50,000 (total costs) may be approved, at a later date, to support biomedical HIV/AIDS research costs during the first 12 months of an independent research position at any U.S. or international nonprofit research institution. Unexpended funds from Phase 1 may be carried forward to increase the amount available for Phase 2.
  • Phase 2 funding can start any time during or up to six months following the Phase 1 performance period. Phase 2 budgets and research plans are submitted only after an independent position has been secured.

Other Important Dates

Applications invited: October 21, 2025 (tentative)
Applications due: December 17, 2025 (tentative)
Funding decisions announced: early March 2026

Please email grants@amfar.org with any questions about this RFP.

Future requests for proposals

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