International Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (ITAPS)

The ITAPS program is offering training for early to mid-career researchers from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) to develop mentoring and writing skills to produce scientific manuscripts and publish them in peer-reviewed journals.

ITAPS has three training programs: online mentorship training program, online scientific writing training program, and in-person regional workshops on scientific writing.

Online Mentorship Training Program

Each year, up to 5 mentors will participate in a virtual online mentor training program. The program will consist of two sessions prior to and four sessions during the 5-month ITAPS virtual online scientific writing training. The mentorship training will cover the theory of mentorship and sponsorship; leadership styles; communication skills; providing effective feedback; developing a culture of mentorship; and use of AI tools to enhance mentorship, communication, and scientific writing. Mentors will put their skills into practice by co-mentoring one to three mentees alongside a UCSF faculty member during the 5-month online scientific writing training.

Cost: There is no fee to participate in the online virtual mentorship program.

Mentors are expected to:

  • Actively participate in the mentorship training program.
  • Assist in selecting highly qualified mentees for the scientific writing program.
  • Actively participate in the scientific writing program with their mentees.
  • Meet with their trainees bi-weekly or more often outside of class to guide and help them during the scientific writing program, and until their manuscripts are published.
  • Work with the ITAPS team to implement a regional scientific writing workshop following the mentorship training.

Early- to mid-career researchers from LMICs are eligible to apply for the mentorship program if they meet the following criteria:

  • Hold an advanced degree in a health-related scientific field.
  • Have a current position or career path that would benefit from mentor training.
  • Have written at least two peer-reviewed publications as first author.
  • Can dedicate protected time to fully participate in the mentorship training program.
  • Resident of a low- or lower-middle-income country.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English at a professional level.

Online Scientific Writing Training Program

This 5-month program is designed to strengthen the writing and publication skills of researchers from LMICs. Each year, up to 10 mentees will receive structured, hands-on training and individualized mentorship to help them develop high-quality scientific manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The program includes live virtual lectures and small-group interactive sessions led by mentors and UCSF faculty. The program emphasizes practical learning through writing their own manuscript, peer feedback, and individualized guidance. Mentees will learn how to:

  • Develop a clear and compelling scientific research question.
  • Interpret and present the results of data analysis in tables and figures.
  • Write all sections of a scientific manuscript.
  • Navigate the journal submission and peer-review process.
  • Use AI-based tools to enhance writing efficiency, organization, and clarity.

Mentees will work closely with assigned mentors and UCSF faculty throughout the program to refine their manuscripts and prepare them for publication.

Cost: There is no fee to participate in the online virtual scientific writing program.

Mentees are expected to:

  • Attend all scheduled online sessions and actively participate in discussions.
  • Dedicate protected time for writing and revising their manuscripts.
  • Meet regularly (bi-weekly or more often) with mentors for personalized feedback and progress review.
  • Submit to mentors and faculty a complete draft manuscript by the end of the program.
  • Continue engaging with mentors and faculty after the program to submit and revise their manuscripts until final publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Early- to mid-career researchers from LMICs are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

  • Hold at least a master’s or more advanced degree in a health-related scientific field.
  • Have a current position or research focus that would benefit from scientific writing training.
  • Can dedicate protected time for the full duration of the program.
  • Resident of a low- or lower-middle-income country (LMIC).
  • Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English at a professional level.

In-person Regional Workshops on Scientific Writing

Each year, two 5-day regional workshops in LMIC will be held in partnership with local institutions. The host institution will provide the venue and support logistics. Participants from the host, partner, or other LMICs may apply. ITAPS-trained mentors from the host and partnering countries and UCSF faculty will lead lectures and mentor-supported interactive scientific writing sessions. During the workshop, participants will learn to:

  • Develop a strong research question.
  • Present and interpret data clearly.
  • Write and structure manuscripts effectively.
  • Navigate journal submission and peer review.
  • Use AI tools to improve clarity and efficiency.

Participants will work closely with assigned mentors and UCSF faculty to develop, refine, and submit their manuscripts to journals for publication.

Cost: Unless otherwise specified, participants are responsible for their flight and other travel-related expenses. Accommodation and meals will be provided. There is no registration fee for the workshop.

Date and location: The exact date and location of the regional workshops will be announced later.

Early- to mid-career researchers from LMICs are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

  • Hold at least a master’s or more advanced degree in a health-related scientific field.
  • Have a current position or research focus that would benefit from scientific writing training.
  • Can dedicate protected time for the full duration of the program.
  • Resident of a low- or lower-middle-income country (LMIC).
  • Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English at a professional level.

Participants of the “ITAPS Online Scientific Writing Training Program” may also apply for the in-person workshop if they are working on a new manuscript.

How to apply

ITAPS Program Team

  • Krysia Lindan, MD MS (Principal Investigator). Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Global Health Sciences, UCSF
  • Ali Mirzazadeh MD PhD MPH (co-Principal Investigator). Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Global Health Sciences, UCSF
  • Willi McFarland, MD PhD MPH (Faculty Lead). Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Global Health Sciences, UCSF, and Director of Epidemiology San Francisco Department of Public Health
  • Edward Murphy, MD PhD (Faculty). Professor, Epidemiology &Biostatistics Laboratory Medicine and Global health Sciences, UCSF, and Vitalant Research Institute
  • Debbie Bain Brickley DrPH MPH (Director of Training and Evaluation). Training Lead, IGHS, UCSF
  • Jeffrey Mandel, PhD MPH (Mentor Training Lead). Research Administrator, IGHS, UCSF
  • Matt Price PhD MPH (Faculty). Adjunct Associate Professor, Epidemiology &Biostatistics, and Global Health Sciences, UCSF
  • Iftekhar Sadaat, MD MPH (Program Manager). Research Specialist, IGHS, UCSF

Questions

For questions, please contact ITAPS at ITAPS@ucsf.edu and CC Iftekhar Sadaat (ITAPS Program Manager) at Iftekhar.Sadaat@ucsf.edu.

In accordance with Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, health, or disability. For detailed information, please visit the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination.

Funders: ITAPS is primarily funded primarily by the US National Institute of Mental Health/NIH R25 training grant (2R25MH123256-06), with additional support from the CV Starr Foundation and in collaboration with other institutions, including the Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco.

Key dates

Online Mentoring Training Program

  • Application opens: 5 Nov. 2025
  • Application closes: 30 Nov. 2025
  • Acceptance decision: 15 Dec. 2025
  • First session starts: Mid Jan. 2026

Online Scientific Writing Training Program

  • Application opens: 1 Feb. 2026
  • Application closes: 28 Feb. 2026
  • Acceptance decision: 16 March 2026
  • First session starts: Early April 2026

In-person Regional Workshop

Dates to be determined