The New York State International Training and Research Program (NYS-ITRP) is focused on building HIV and infectious diseases research capacity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is cooperatively administered by the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center (SUNY-DMC), and the State University of New York School of Public Health at Albany (SUNY-SPH). Building on twenty years of experience in the region, the NYS-ITRP goal is to train the next generation of research scientists to confront the challenges of HIV disease in Former Soviet Union states. Our current target countries are: Kazakhstan and Ukraine Training Areas: Behavioral Interventions Implementation Science Viral Hepatitis HIV related co-morbidities Sexually Transmitted Diseases Tuberculosis The training for each of the applicants will be tailored according to his/her interests within the parameters of the program. It is our aim that each applicant, upon returning to his/her home institution, will create his/her own research program, develop and implement epidemiologic/laboratory studies, spearhead improvements in diagnostics, and/or enhance existing and implement new public health programs focused on HIV prevention and management. Once a fellow returns to his/her home country, he/she is also eligible for advanced research support from the Fogarty International Center and will continue to be supported by the NYS-ITRP.