ERC Einstein Rockefeller CUNY Center for AIDS Research

PROJECT SUMMARY
ERC-CFAR: BEHAVIORAL AND IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE CORE (BISC)
The Behavioral and Implementation Science Core will support the overarching ERC-CFAR goal to end the HIV
epidemic through providing expertise and capacity building in behavioral, social and implementation science
theory and methods. During the past four years, the BISC has had a major impact on advancing the research
accomplishments of ERC-CFAR investigators as evidenced by its support of 52 investigators who received 39
grants, 9 supplements, and published 56 papers. In response to ERC-CFAR investigators’ requests, we have
added implementation science (IS) services to better address the biggest challenge to ending the epidemic in
the next 5 years, equitable implementation, scale-up and sustainment of evidence-based strategies to
prevent HIV transmission and reduce health, social and emotional consequences of HIV infection. The Specific
Aims of the BISC are to:
Aim 1: Provide ERC-CFAR investigators with access to comprehensive technical assistance and expertise in
behavioral and social science research, including: (a) quantitative research and trial design; (b) qualitative and
mixed methods; (c) cognitive interviewing; and (d) the application of behavioral theories, especially for behavior
change at the patient, provider, organization, and systems levels.
Aim 2: Enable ERC-CFAR investigators to leverage IS approaches, methods, and frameworks to expand and
strengthen EHE research and its impact across the ERC-CFAR, while focusing on strategies that mitigate health
disparities and increase equity.
Aim 3: Bring a whole-of-society lens to the ERC-CFAR through the Community Participatory Partnership (CPP)
to shape the CFAR research agenda, address equity in prevention and care, and provide guidance on how to
achieve integrated, coordinated responses to the HIV epidemic among all partners and stakeholders.
Aim 4: With the Developmental Core, mentor ESIs and junior faculty in behavioral, social science and IS
research methods and community collaboration, and support proposal development.
The BISC will accomplish these aims through its Core infrastructure: The BISC Consultation Service, The
Qualitative Research Resource, and The Cognitive Interview Lab. In addition, we will initiate the ERC-CFAR
Implementation Science Interest Group (ISIG) to increase adoption of IS approaches and strengthen existing
relationships with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Columbia University HIV Center
for Clinical and Behavioral Studies.

Grant Number: 5P30AI124414-10
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Laurie Bauman