San Diego Bright SUN Program

Supporting and Uplifting New and Diverse Scientists in HIV

The San Diego Center for AIDS Research (SD CFAR) is pleased to announce and invite applications for the San Diego Bright SUN (Supporting and Uplifting New and Diverse Scientists in HIV) program. Applications are due by January 19, 2024.

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What is SD Bright SUN?

SD Bright SUN is a mentored research training program for advanced undergraduate and Master’s (e.g., MPH) students who have traditionally been underrepresented in science offered through San Diego Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) as part of the CFAR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pipeline Initiative. The overarching goal of San Diego Bright SUN, or SD Bright SUN, is to provide underrepresented minority scholars (including those who identify with and/or share similar backgrounds as the communities most impacted by HIV) with the knowledge and skills necessary to embark on an academic career trajectory in HIV science that focuses on ameliorating disparities in communities of color that are at highest risk of HIV. Funding supports up to 7 scholars (4 undergraduate and 3 Master’s students) for a 8-month structured training program in:

Research knowledge, skills, and mentored career development training that will increase their potential for success across additional graduate studies and future careers in HIV research.
The responsible conduct of research with human subjects, with special consideration given to conducting HIV research with BIPOC and disadvantaged populations.

Scholars will also conduct a mentored research project during their time in the program. Students may choose to participate in data collection or analysis for an existing research study under the guidance of an SD CFAR faculty member, or conduct a literature review or secondary data analysis.

What is the SD Bright SUN mentoring structure?

Scholars who are accepted in the program will be assigned a primary and secondary SD Bright SUN mentor based on alignment of research interests and goals. A third peer mentor (e.g., current predoctoral student) conducting HIV research at any SD CFAR member institution. Applicants will be asked to identify potential SD Bright SUN mentors, which can be selected from the table below.

Where does the program take place?

The structured training period of SD Bright SUN will take place from February to September 2024, and will be held mostly virtually. In-person gatherings and seminars will also be offered and scheduled throughout the training period.

Applications

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants must self-identify as a member of a population underrepresented in the scientific workforce, specifically by meeting the NIH definition of being a member of an underrepresented population. Applicants must also be currently enrolled in a degree program at UCSD, SDSU, or Scripps. Candidates should be interested in pursuing a research career related to HIV. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The Bright SUN Program is open to eligible students of all races. The Bright SUN Program does not consider race, color, national origin, or any other pritected status as part of the application and selection process. All eligible students are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until January 19, 2024 at 11:59 pm PT.

A successful application submission consists of the following:

Online application
Current curriculum vitae
Two letters of reference
Two-page statement of interest that includes their research interests, short term and long-term career goals, and personal expectations
A letter from your current primary mentor committing to supporting the individual in the completion of the SD Bright SUN program and research project. (This statement can be provided in one of the two required letters of reference). If you do not currently have a primary mentor, you are still eligible to apply.

A copy of the online application is available to help you prepare your submission: SD Bright SUN Application Guide