An NIH Fogarty Training and Research Program in India on HIV and TB in India has been initiated at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt-India-HTRTP) in May, 2015. This new Pitt-India-HTRTP program will operate in collaboration with our partners at LEPRA Society (LepS), Hyderabad, India, one of the major research and clinical centers working on HIV and TB. Goal of the Pitt-India-HTRTP is to enhance the research capacity of LepS by training health care professionals from India in multidisciplinary cutting-edge research, publish pioneering research as well as participate in clinical trials to improve control of HIV and TB in India. This includes all types of research (e.g., laboratory sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Behavioral Sciences) related to HIV. Since the purpose of our training grant is to improve the research capacity in India, we would like the trainees to return to India upon completing training at the University of Pittsburgh. Therefore, those applicants who can demonstrate their intent to return to India and implement their training in their native country will have preference for this training fellowship.
The Pitt HTRTP consists of two types of training: short term (2-3 months) and long term (2-4 years) training in HIV/AIDS-related research. Short-term training includes: learning specific laboratory techniques, taking courses in epidemiology/biostatistics and behavioral science that relate to his or her research in India. Short term training is mainly restricted to those who are already employed in health Science sector in India and would be able to contribute his/her training in the current employment place upon returning to India. Long-term training includes: obtaining MS/MPH (2-year program) or PhD/DrPH (4-5year program). Short-term trainees can begin their training anytime during the year, while long-term trainees must begin their training during the fall semester (late August). In some cases, however, long-term trainees may begin their training during the spring semester (early January). Long-term candidates should note that they would be first selected by the Fogarty selection committee and then must be accepted into the specific departmental degree program before they could be formally accepted into the Pitt HTRTP. In addition, all doctoral candidates must pass GATE or NET examination in order to apply for the Fogarty degree program and must take GRE and TOFEL examinations with a score of minimum 300 for quantitative and verbal and 4.5 in writing in GRE and 80 in TOFE. Information of each degree program can be found by visiting:
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology: http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/infectious-diseases-and-microbiology
- Department of Epidemiology: http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/epidemiology
- Department of Biostatistics: http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/biostatistics
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health Sciences: http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/behavioral-and-community-health-sciences
The Pitt HTRTP will provide adequate funds for round-trip transportation, a scholarship to cover tuition and other educational expenses, as well as an annual stipend.