factsheet
Advocacy Fellows Program Information Packet
This information packet contains general information regarding the Fellows Program.
Project
AVAC Advocacy Fellows Program
Supporting emerging advocates and a generation of advocacy
Applications
AVAC is no longer accepting applications for 2024 Advocacy Fellows.
If you’d like to learn about the program and what is involved, please see the Application materials available here.
Overview
Well-supported advocates keep the global response to HIV on track. Effective HIV prevention depends on programs and research that are fundamentally grounded in the needs and priorities of people who need prevention most. Passionate, skilled community advocates are the lynchpin to this process. They explain the science, define priorities, hold stakeholders accountable and influence the field.
About AVAC Advocacy Fellows
More than 10 years ago, AVAC launched its first Advocacy Fellows program to identify emerging HIV prevention champions, support their efforts, help hone their skills, strengthen the capacity of civil society to shape the agenda for HIV prevention research and influence how fast new interventions move into policy and programs. Today, the Advocacy Fellows program continues, offering 12 – 18 months of intensive support to emerging and mid-career advocates to complete an advocacy project focused on HIV prevention and global health equity- from research to programs to structural interventions that address human rights.
AVAC provides technical and financial support to Fellows—both salary and project budget—for the duration of the Fellow’s year. The Fellows program is implemented through a close collaboration among the Advocacy Fellow, the Host Organisation and AVAC.
Advocacy Fellows are housed by “Host Organisations” who are the fiscal and administrative grant partners. Hosts provide daily supervision to Fellows, ensure their projects are aligned with the organization’s goals and ensure that their activities and strategies are contextualized in the country/community.
Impact
Since launching in 2009, nearly 100 alumni fellows from 70+ partner organizations across 15+ countries have participated in the program. They have gone on to change policy, champion community perspectives, help strengthen healthcare systems, demystify HIV prevention research, and insist on fairness and transparency locally, regionally and globally.
Celebrate ten years of the Fellows program with us, read the independent evaluation of the program, and learn where the Fellows are now.
I had no knowledge about good planning, accountability and execution of a good project. But with the assistance of the fellowship team at AVAC, as I write now, I feel I am one of the most supersonic HIV cure advocates the world has ever seen!
The AVAC Fellowship turned a naive nurse to a robust advocate. Now I can advocate for anything that I believe is right, even if I may be the only man standing and be unpopular… South African’s U=U scale up would not be where it is now if it was not for what I started then [when I was an AVAC Fellow].
Current Fellows
Project Impact
85
Advocacy Fellows & Alumni
15+
countries represented
3
countries with the most Alumni—Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe