M-HIRST HIV Implementation Science Pilot Grants 2026

The Malawi HIV Implementation Science Research Training (M-HIRST) Program, run by the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and the University of North Carolina with NIH Fogarty International Centre funding, invites applications for pilot grants. Projects must either identify facilitators of, or barriers to, implementing evidence-based HIV interventions, or evaluate novel strategies to scale them up. Proposals must focus on a specific area of HIV prevention or the 95-95-95 targets, show familiarity with the Revised Malawi National HIV Strategic Plan 2023–2027, and be completed within 12 months.

Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in, or have completed, a health-related postgraduate training programme.
• Employed in an academic or research institution, or in a non-governmental organisation implementing HIV-related programmes in Malawi; OR have strong linkages with public institutions or NGOs that have a track record of delivering HIV services.
• Have a supervisor or mentor with a strong background in HIV research or service delivery.

Applicants with prior HIV-related publications will have an added advantage. Applicants who were unsuccessful in previous M-HIRST rounds and have addressed the reviewers' comments are strongly encouraged to reapply.

If your postgraduate qualification is not clearly health-related, please confirm your eligibility with the M-HIRST coordinator before preparing a full application. Alternatively, consider applying with a health-trained colleague as an applicant. Most applicants will also benefit from securing an HIV mentor from an established HIV research or service-delivery institution

• Prevention and management of Advanced HIV Disease or HIV co-morbidities
• Integrated HIV services delivery
• Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to promote targeted HIV interventions
• Application of data science or mathematical modelling to evaluate the impact of HIV interventions
• Application of mobile health technologies to promote client-centred HIV care
• Strategies for mitigating the negative impact of extreme weather on HIV service delivery

Applicants are required to:

• Prepare a three-page pilot grant research proposal, following the M-HIRST proposal guidelines.
• Complete the summary applicant information form.
• Obtain a letter of support and a biosketch from a senior academic or public health/clinical practitioner with a track record in HIV research, who will oversee the project.
• Prepare an updated biosketch for the applicant.

All biosketches must follow the NIH template. All documents must be merged into a SINGLE PDF and emailed to: mhirstcoordinator@kuhes.ac.mw