The Columbia University-Southern African HIV/AIDS and TB International Research Training Programme (AITRP) is funded by the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, USA. This programme, now in its sixteenth year of existence, offers a unique, prestigious and challenging training opportunity to promising researchers early in their careers, in the fields of basic science, epidemiology, social science and bio-ethics related to HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
Only citizens of South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland are eligible for these scholarships.
Category 1
Post-doctoral Scholarships in HIV/AIDS and/or TB, Epidemiology or Biostatistics at Columbia University, New York, USA
This category of scholarship is tenable for one year in the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York to pursue a Master of Science in Epidemiology or Biostatistics.
Applicants must:

• Have a professional Medical, Dental or Veterinary degree or a PhD or other equivalent doctoral degree
• Have demonstrable research experience in HIV/AIDS or TB with at least one peer-reviewed publication
• Make a commitment to return to southern Africa for a period at least equal to the training period in the USA
• Meet the Columbia University Joseph Mailman School of Public Health entrance requirements, including the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

This scholarship, at one of the top ten listed universities in the world, covers return airfare from southern Africa to New York, a generous stipend, tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and health insurance. A pro-forma application form must be submitted.
Further information on the programme at Columbia University is available on the website: www.mailman.columbia.edu/epi/index.html

Category 2
Short-term HIV/AIDS and/or TB Basic Science or Social Science Scholarships in the USA
This scholarship is tenable for three to six months. It is intended for Masters, Doctoral or Postdoctoral students who want to acquire a specific laboratory technique or social science skill at a US laboratory or institution. The applicant is responsible for identifying the US laboratory/institution at which he/she would like to train and confirm all arrangements for training between their home and host institution.
Applicants must:

• Be registered for a Masters or Doctoral degree
• Identify the laboratory technique or social science skill that needs to be acquired
• Identify the laboratory or institution in the USA at which he/she would like to train
• Provide evidence of home institution support for this application.

Applications must be submitted on a pro-forma application form and should be
accompanied by a letter of support from:

• The proposed mentor and host US institution at
  which training is sought, and
• The local supervisor and home institution where the applicant is currently based.

Inclusion of a peer-reviewed publication or first authored conference presentation will be an added advantage.
This scholarship covers return airfare from southern Africa to the USA and a generous monthly stipend for the duration of the scholarship.

Category 3
Pre- and Post-doctoral Scholarships at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
This category of scholarship is for doctoral or post-doctoral studies in HIV/AIDS and TB. This scholarship is tenable for one year in schools, departments and research centres at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to pursue and enhance scientific career development under the mentorship and guidance of an established HIV/AIDS and/or TB Researcher.

Applicants must have

• At least a Masters degree in a scientifically-related field
• Identified a school/department/centre and mentor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Have some research experience eg conference presentations and/or publications.

Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the proposed mentor to confirm willingness to provide mentorship in the relevant school, department or research
centre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Through co-sponsorship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for TB and HIV (K-RITH) additional scholarships are available to pursue
training in TB-HIV Basic Science.

Applications for all three categories must be submitted electronically on a pro-forma application form that is available on request from the Training Co-ordinator, Mrs Phyllis Foley at foley@ukzn.ac.za
The closing date for receipt of applications is 20 SEPTEMBER 2009.

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