Building the Road to End the HIV Epidemic Through Coordinating and Capacity-Building Hubs to Enhance the Science of HIV Implementation REsearch (CHESHIRE): Reflections and Directions

Abstract

Background: Because implementation remains the biggest challenge to Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States (EHE), since 2019, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded 248 supplements to identify best practices for delivering evidence-based HIV interventions. NIH also funded a coordination center [Implementation Science (IS) Coordination Initiative "ISCI"] and 9 consultation hubs ("Hubs") to provide technical assistance and cross-project information sharing, measure harmonization, and data synthesis. This article describes this unique capacity-building model, lessons learned from the first 5 years, and opportunities created by this infrastructure.

Methods: Beginning in FY20, Hubs were assigned 7-9 funded supplement projects in EHE priority jurisdictions. Primary Hub services included direct coaching, multiproject meetings, communities of practice, and technical webinars. ISCI and the Hubs met monthly to reflect on project support, discuss ways to enhance HIV IS broadly, and assess projects' use of Hub services.

Findings: Hub engagement strategies included grouping projects by HIV intervention type, setting data reporting expectations early, and tailoring engagement based on EHE team IS expertise. Support and coordination provided by the Hubs and ISCI have developed generalizable IS knowledge from local knowledge (e.g., publications and tools). The network of ISCI, the Hubs, and EHE projects have also led to infrastructure for conducting multisite HIV implementation research.

Implications for di science: The Hub model is a novel, systemwide approach for rapidly improving IS capacity in a field. Implementation of this model will continue to be refined through an ongoing evaluation and as the funding transitions to regular, nonsupplement NIH funding mechanisms.