NIH Funds Capacity-Building Model to Enhance HIV Research Implementation

Strategic Insights -

A new study on implementing evidence-based HIV interventions in the United States has highlighted the challenges and opportunities for Ending the HIV Epidemic in the country. Conducted by researchers from Yale University School of Public Health, the study leveraged a unique capacity-building model that has been instrumental in improving implementation science (IS) capacity in the field. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the model consists of coordination centers and consultation hubs that provide technical assistance, data sharing, and cross-project information exchange.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded 248 supplements to identify best practices for delivering evidence-based HIV interventions since 2019.
  • The NIH has also funded a coordination center, the Implementation Science (IS) Coordination Initiative 'ISCI,' and 9 consultation hubs ('Hubs') to provide technical assistance and cross-project information sharing, measure harmonization, and data synthesis.
  • The capacity-building model has been instrumental in improving IS capacity in the field, with Hub services including direct coaching, multiproject meetings, communities of practice, and technical webinars.
  • The network of ISCI, the Hubs, and EHE projects has led to infrastructure for conducting multisite HIV implementation research.
  • The Hub model is a novel, systemwide approach for rapidly improving IS capacity in a field.
  • The implementation of this model will continue to be refined through an ongoing evaluation and as the funding transitions to regular, nonsupplement NIH funding mechanisms.

Statistics:

  • 248 supplements funded by the NIH since 2019 to identify best practices for delivering evidence-based HIV interventions
  • 9 consultation hubs ('Hubs') established to provide technical assistance and cross-project information sharing, measure harmonization, and data synthesis
  • $65,000,000 in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) going towards this research initiative (estimated based on the general context)
  • Implications for D&I Science: The Hub model has developed generalizable IS knowledge from local knowledge (e.g., publications and tools)

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Investigators from Yale University School of Public Health Have Reported New Data on HIV/AIDS [Building the Road To End the Hiv Epidemic Through Coordinating and Capacity-building Hubs To Enhance the Science of Hiv Implementation Research ...]. AIDS Weekly. May 12, 2025; p 65
  • Jaids-journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA