June 3, 2010

Dear Advocates,
 
AVAC is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2010-2011 AVAC HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Fellowship Program. This update provides information on the Advocacy Fellowship program and details for an upcoming informational call to be held on June 10, 2010.

The submission deadline for the Advocacy Fellowship applications is Monday, July 19, 2010. Visit the Fellows page to download application materials.
 
The AVAC HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Fellowship provides support to emerging and mid-career advocates in developing countries to design and implement advocacy projects focused on biomedical HIV prevention research activities in their countries and communities. The Advocacy Fellowship is primarily focused on countries where biomedical prevention research is planned or ongoing. Advocacy Fellows carry out their projects while based at host organisations that are active partners in the Fellowship process.
 
The HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Fellowship seeks applicants who are:

• Emerging or mid-career community leaders and advocates interested in building their skills in understanding and advocating around HIV prevention research.  
• Individuals with some experience or education in the areas of  HIV and AIDS, public health, international development, women's rights, communications, and advocacy.
• Based in developing countries where biomedical HIV prevention clinical research is planned or ongoing or medical male circumcision for HIV prevention is being introduced.
• Able to collaborate with English-speaking mentors.

Fellows receive training, full-time financial support, and technical assistance to plan and implement a targeted one-year project within host organizations focused on HIV/AIDS. The Fellowship builds the capacity of both the Fellow and the respective host organization in HIV prevention research advocacy.
 
The overall goal of the Advocacy Fellowship is to expand the capacity of civil society advocates and organizations to monitor, support, and help shape biomedical HIV prevention research worldwide. The Advocacy Fellowship is guided by the belief that effective, sustainable advocacy grows out of work that reflects organizational and individual interests and priorities.
 
Interested in learning more about the Fellowship Program?
Prospective applicants or host organizations who want to learn more about this program or have questions about the application process are invited to join an informational conference call:

THURSDAY, JUNE 10 2010
9am EDT USA / 8am Lima / 11am Rio/ 3pm S Africa / 4pm East Africa / 8pm India
(Visit www.timeanddate.com to confirm the time in your timezone.)

If you would like to join the call please RSVP to fellows@avac.org, and we will forward you the call-in details. Please also send any questions that emerge as you review the application materials.
 
Learn about the current Advocacy Fellows and their projects
2010-2011 is the second year of the Advocacy Fellowship. In 2009-2010, the Advocacy Fellowship was launched as a joint partnership of AVAC and the Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM). AVAC now manages the Advocacy Fellowship independently. However, GCM remains a resource for Advocacy Fellowship and for all advocates.

Visit AVAC's Fellows page and GCM's Fellows page for more on the current Fellows and their projects.

All 2010-2011 Advocacy Fellowship applications are due MONDAY, JULY 19, 2010.
 
If you have any questions about the Fellowship program, please email fellows@avac.org.
 
We hope you'll share this information with your partners, and we look forward to receiving your application!
 
Best,
AVAC