June 8, 2026
The 2026 US HIV Cure Academy brought skilled advocates and leading HIV cure researchers together for three days of learning and engagement.
“We may not have a cure, but one thing is sure, we have the right people on the case,
And I am for certain, we will one day draw the curtain, on this disease in our time and space,
So never grow weary, I know it seems dreary, but I think the worst days have passed,
The day will come, for all not some, when we shall see an end to this at last!!”
There are approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV in the US. Researchers are hard at work to find a cure and have made notable strides over the past decade, from advances in immune-based therapies to growing understanding of how HIV persists in the body. As the science evolves, so too does the need for advocates who can help communities understand complex research, ask critical questions and ensure cure strategies are developed ethically and in partnership with those most impacted by HIV.
As in all aspects of the HIV/AIDS response, advocates have played an invaluable role in this progress, sharing their lived experience to shape the research agenda, push for equity and accountability, and bridge the gap between researchers and communities. The HIV cure landscape in the US is expanding, with funding for cure research steadily increasing since 2022. With this increased investment in cure-focused research and expanded collaborations, there is an urgent need for advocates to engage meaningfully in shaping priorities.
In April 2026, AVAC, the Well Project and the Martin Delaney Collaboratories brought 20 of these skilled advocates together, along with 11 leading researchers and cure experts (Academy faculty), for the US HIV Cure Academy. The Academy is designed to strengthen understanding of HIV cure science and build research translation skills in support of advocacy efforts. While AVAC and the International AIDS Society have held a Global Cure Academy annually since 2017, this Academy was just the second US-specific cohort to be convened. Academy participants came from across the US, bringing diverse backgrounds and levels of involvement with HIV cure research. Many Academy participants are living with HIV, have loved ones living with HIV and/or represent communities disproportionately affected by HIV, making the Academy more than simply a professional pursuit.
It was humbling and captivating to be in a room of seasoned community advocates as they shared stories of concerns, experiences, and victories throughout their own lives living with HIV. I carry with me the knowledge and understanding that HIV is more than a disease, but it is an ever-changing obstacle that requires uniting unalike people to overcome a common enemy.
“What the Academy has meant to me is that there is hope in a cure. Not many people know what’s going on, but being at the Academy is going to help me bring this knowledge to the community.”
The cohort style that is offered at this Academy is top notch. I think that’s what makes this so special. You’re leaning on other folks, trying to bridge that gap from scientific lingo to everyday lingo and bringing that from the Academy home.
Over the course of three days in Durham, North Carolina, participants learned the foundations of HIV cure science and the latest research developments from some of the top scientists in the field. Academy faculty gave engaging presentations on the viral reservoir, strategies for curing HIV, lifetime survivors, the role of sex and gender in HIV cure research and more. Participants and faculty engaged in robust discussions throughout the three days, creating a unique environment for bi-directional learning. The experience really helped me reconnect with my passion for sharing science with the community,” said Jake Robinson, Academy faculty and Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.
The Academy offered an interactive setting for discussing the latest issues in HIV cure science and advocacy.
In addition to building knowledge, participants gained practical skills in translating complex science for community audiences—a critical aspect of ensuring communities understand and can meaningfully engage in HIV cure research and advocacy. The Academy also included a tour of Academy faculty Dr. Guido Ferrari’s lab at Duke University. The tour brought the science to life for Academy participants, while the researchers expressed equal appreciation to connect with the advocates who inspire their research.
Researchers in Academy faculty Dr. Guido Ferrari’s lab gave Academy participants a behind-the-scenes look at their HIV cure research.
The US HIV Cure Academy is an example of the importance of sustained programming for HIV cure advocacy. While the workshop was only a few days long, alumni continue to connect regularly, sharing upcoming events and discussing new developments impacting HIV efforts. In the coming months, the US Cure Academy will award one to two alumni with a 12-month grant to implement a community-based HIV cure project, offering an opportunity to use what was gained at the Academy to improve community understanding of and engagement with HIV cure research. While the pursuit for an HIV cure is ongoing, efforts like the US Cure Academy help ensure true partnership between researchers and communities—an essential element for advancing ethical, inclusive and community-driven cure research.
For more information on AVAC’s cure work, check out our Advocacy-For-A-Cure Academy and Cure in the Spotlight pages.