Capacity Strengthening (TA-D1 and TA-D2)

The Technology Accelerator hub hosts MATRIX product- or project-specific capacity strengthening efforts. These are efforts designed to strengthen the research capacity of African researchers in Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and through its Independent Special Projects (ISP) program, the capacity of the MATRIX collaborative overall as well.

In a dual oversight role, TA-D1 and TA-D2 act to support, capture, and fund game-changer innovations and capacity strengthening opportunities. TA-D1 supports these activities through its Seed Grants and Prevention Challenge grants. Seed Grants and Prevention Challenge grants are 12-24 months grants with limited funding (200K USD) focusing on accomplishing applicant-defined research objectives and milestones. Both the Seed Grants and the Prevention Challenge grants are implemented through a request for application (RFA) and peer review process focused on identifying investigators that propose novel research activities with the potential to significantly strengthen capacity and/or lead to new and innovative HIV prevention strategies and products. MATRIX also seeks to identify game-changer and capacity-strengthening projects that will directly support MATRIX and/or USAID HIV prevention objectives. TA-D2 administers the ISP program, which focuses on high-impact projects that advance MATRIX’s and USAID’s scientific objectives. ISP programs are solicited via an invited application process and are funded for the duration of the project and to support the costs of the resources required for accomplishing the ISP’s key objectives and milestones.  

There are no active RFAs at this time.

Key contacts

Seed Grants and Prevention Challenges (Technology Accelerator - Domain 1) 
Jessica Mistilis

Independent Special Projects (Technology Accelerator - Domain 2)
Jim Turpin
Ariane van der Straten