February 17, 2026
The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), taking place February 22–25, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, will once again kick off the year as the premier scientific convening for our field.
AVAC will be tracking the HIV and STI science at CROI 2026, including advances in long-acting HIV prevention, evolving science around cure, and important discussions on the impact of the global funding crisis on research, development, and delivery. Here we share ways to follow and join in the conversation, in-person or virtually.
Share the Latest Data: AVAC infographics
For those presenting at CROI (as well as anyone interested in tracking the field), AVAC’s latest infographics on HIV R&D and the delivery pipeline, the current landscape of prevention options, and the impact of US funding cuts are available here in an easy-to-use slide format. We hope these visuals are useful for presentations and discussions at the conference and beyond.
Join the Conversation: Community Breakfast Clubs
Each day during CROI, AVAC, EATG, Fiocruz, TAG, and other partners will host virtual webinars called Community Breakfast Clubs featuring researchers and advocates breaking down important prevention, treatment and cure science presented at CROI and the implications for the field. Registration is open to all.
Follow Along: News from the conference
AVAC will be tracking news and developments from the conference. Be part of the conversation by following AVAC on BlueSky at @hivpxresearch.bsky.social, and sign up for our Advocates Network newsletters if you were forwarded this email. And be sure to follow our partner, Aidsmap, as they report from the conference.
Sessions of Interest: What to watch
Check out the CROI program for sessions of interest. Some of the things we’re watching include:
Sunday, February 22
- Scott Hammer Workshop for New Researchers
- Clinical Trial Design and Analysis Workshop
- Opening Session with Named Lectures by Sharon Lewin, Peter Staley and Linda-Gail Bekker
Monday, February 23
- Plenaries on Meeting the Moment: HIV Treatment and Prevention and Structure, Function, and Inhibition of the HIV Capsid
- Sleepless in Denver: Impact of Funding Changes on HIV Care
- Strategic and Resilient Responses to the Funding Crisis Across Africa
Tuesday, February 24
- Plenary on Cutting-Edge Issues in Sexually Transmitted Infections
- HIV Reservoirs and Cure Strategies
- Counting and Caring for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals
Wednesday, February 25
- Manipulating the HIV Immune Response for Prevention and Treatment
- From Good to Great: Advancing Treatment and Prevention
- Test and Tell
- Harnessing B-Cells and Antibodies for HIV Control
- Some Assembly Required: Self-Blood Collection and Testing