PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The New York State International Training and Research Program (NYS-ITRP) proposes to continue
its HIV Research Training Program in Ukraine, through partnering with the School of Public Health of
National Ukraine Kyiv-Mohyla Academy School of Public Health (SPH NaUKMA) and the Ukrainian
Institute for Public Health Policy (UIPHP) in Kyiv. The long-term goal will address humanitarian crisis
sparked by the Russian invasion through a linked partnership with Ukraine’s leading academic public
health training institution and a research-focused nongovernmental organization. While NYS-ITRP
investments have strengthened the ability of Ukraine to respond to the HIV epidemic, the disruption of
the war presents new challenges. Utilizing the advanced studies in population-based topics and
implementation science, we will address Ukraine’s HIV delivery needs in a time of crisis. Proposed
objectives include providing: 1) HIV Research Fellowship to 6 students, composed of in-person
training, a NYSDOH AIDS Institute internship and opportunities for post-training mentorship and/or
research awards.; 2) provide advanced degree training (MS) in epidemiology for 3 early career
investigators which culminates in an HIV-focused thesis; 3) provide three scientific writing workshops
to 85 participants, with HIV Research Symposia in Years 1 and 5, and a scientific writing workshop in
Year 4; 4) build research training capacity at SPH NaUKMA through revising their core curricula and
adding coursework in implementation science, addiction, and qualitative research. Linked with post-
training mentorships, the program provides short- and long-term training modalities designed to
provide the maximum, cost-effective training coverage for individual trainees and expand research
training at NaUKMA given the exigencies of the ongoing conflict. NYS-TIRP will strengthen its
previous investments in public health training and capacity-building at NaUKMA. taking advantage of
its unique in-country research assets (including an extensive research portfolio by alumni trainees).
All training is designed to bolster research capacity focused on implementation science in response
to the war and to enhance the role of NaUKMA as a national leader in HIV-related research training.
Measures to demonstrate increased capacity include assessment of academic and research progress
of trainees; advanced in-country research awards; and SPH NaUKMA curricula review and
development.