Conference scholarships & participation support
Checked September 29, 2026. Opportunities below include programs that prioritize people living with HIV and programs open to a wider community. A conference date does not mean scholarships are open. Check the organizer’s current terms, including travel, hotel, meals, accessibility, and whether reimbursement requires paying first.
Coming up: CROI 2027 community scholarship applications close October 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. Pacific / 8 p.m. Eastern. The program is for community educators and advocates with a strong science background and an organizational connection. A recommendation letter is required; the organizer limits applications to two per organization. Read eligibility and application instructions and confirm the deadline.
| Opportunity | Current status | Who it serves & what to check |
|---|---|---|
| CROI 2027 March 21–24 · San Diego | Deadline: October 1, 2026 | Community educators and advocates. In-person and virtual awards are described. The page mixes 2027 dates with some 2026 award language; confirm the 2027 travel allowance and hotel coverage before budgeting. |
| Positive Living 28 October 23–25, 2026 · Fort Walton Beach | Published application deadline passed September 25 | The application lists paid packages, not an open scholarship award. Ask OASIS about availability, cancellations, or sponsored places. Do not assume the application link means late registration or funding is available. |
| AIDSWatch 2027 March 15–17 · Arlington & Capitol Hill | Scholarship applications not yet open | Organizer describes registration, travel, and lodging support, with priority groups including people living with HIV and first-time participants. Review participation requirements when applications open. |
| U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS | 2026 conference has ended; next scholarship cycle unverified | NMAC’s conference brings together community leadership and the HIV workforce. Watch its official page for the next application window and what any award actually covers. |
| IAS 2027 July 12–15 · Geneva & virtual | 2027 scholarship terms not yet posted on the central scholarship page | Look for the next International AIDS Society scholarship announcement. An earlier AIDS 2026 award is not a current IAS 2027 offer. IAS and IAS–USA are separate organizations. |
| SYNChronicity 2027 June 2–4 · Washington, D.C. | 2027 assistance terms not yet verified | HealthHIV’s conference serves HIV, HCV, STI, LGBTQ health, and harm-reduction communities. Its older registration assistance covered registration only; it should not be treated as a promise of 2027 travel funding. |
| HIV Is Not a Crime 7 Summer 2027 · Details to be announced | Nominations closed September 27; nominated applicants have an October 15 deadline | Centers leadership by people living with HIV. The organizer gives conflicting closing times; nominated applicants should confirm their instructions and submit early. See the existing program profile below. |
For community events, use the Community Hub and Florida Community Guide. This section focuses on participation support so you can compare opportunities in one place.
Why Training Matters More Than Ever Right Now
People living with HIV have an important role in decisions about treatment access, prevention and funding. The national population estimate in HIV.gov’s statistics is not a count of people currently connected to care. Training can help advocates interpret those data, understand policy and communicate their priorities.[1]
Examples of HIV activism include ACT UP’s October 11, 1988 FDA action and the Texas Strike Force’s ADAP campaign, as described by Positive Women’s Network-USA. In Florida, AHF and other advocates challenged 2026 ADAP cuts. Current state rules restore some medication assistance, while premium assistance remains unavailable. These records document organizing and policy developments; they do not isolate the contribution of any single group.[2][3][14]
The question isn't whether you have something to contribute. You do. The question is whether you have the tools, the language, the networks, and the training to make that contribution land.
This page is a map. It covers what's available online, what immersive programs exist across the country, and what you can access specifically in Florida. Some of it is free. Some is heavily subsidized. All of it starts from the same premise: your lived experience is not a disqualifier — it's the most important thing you bring to the table.
Online — Learn From Anywhere
The options below include self-paced courses, scheduled webinars, selective cohorts and fellowships. Eligibility, geography, cost and credentials differ. Check the organizer’s current requirements before applying; a course certificate does not itself authorize clinical practice.
HealthHIV’s free, nine-module HIV PrEP Navigation Certification program was updated December 15, 2025. It covers PrEP education, coverage and client support. Successful completion earns the program’s certification and directory listing, with up to 5.0 eligible CME/CE credits. The current accreditation runs through December 15, 2026; check the course for renewal information. It is a navigation credential, not a clinical license or permission to prescribe PrEP.[5]
healthhiv.org/hivpnc →A library of free self-paced e-learning courses built for HIV prevention staff, case managers, peer navigators, and community health workers.[6] Topics include PrEP outreach, community engagement, harm reduction, and linkage to care. Section 508-compliant and accessible. Check individual course descriptions for the intended audience, registration and current availability.
healthhiv.org/elearningcenter →NMAC’s HIV 50+ Strong & Healthy program offers education, leadership development, mentorship and community activities for older people living with HIV and long-term survivors. Its 2026 cohort has 25 scholars: 11 returning and 14 new. Cohort selection is separate from public programming; confirm current applications and any project-funding terms with NMAC.[7]
nmac.org →PWN-USA’s 2025–2026 fellowship ran from May 2025 through June 2026. Its stated eligibility was PWN members: cisgender and transgender women, transgender people and gender-diverse people living with HIV. The program combined web sessions, mentoring and practical policy work. It is a completed cohort as of this review, not confirmation that applications are open; check PWN for the next cycle.[8]
pwn-usa.org →AIDS United has offered AIDSWatch@Home and state-focused advocacy activities. Ask about current virtual or local options rather than assuming they occur each March. The organizer’s main AIDSWatch page now lists the next national event for March 15–17, 2027.[4]
aidsunited.org/aidswatch →NMAC’s Building Leaders of Color (BLOC) work supports leadership by people of color living with HIV. Its 2021 report describes a Spanish-language program covering leadership, HIV service data and Ryan White participation. Ask NMAC or a local partner about current delivery, eligibility and costs; a historical program description is not proof of an available Florida course.[23]
nmac.org →Prevention Access Campaign describes U=U University as a partnership with CDC, GNP+ and IAPAC, building on the 2024 implementation guide. Its page outlines virtual/in-person education and a training-of-trainers approach; check current course availability. The medical message should be precise: people who achieve and maintain viral suppression below 200 copies/mL do not transmit HIV through sex.[24][16]
preventionaccess.org/programs →CAI’s Leadership Training Institute offers free education, training and mentoring in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute and New York City health department. It serves people affected by HIV, hepatitis C, PrEP, harm reduction and reentry. Its history and peer-worker pathway are New York based. Florida residents should ask about eligibility for a specific course before assuming they can enroll or obtain a Florida credential.[18]
lti.caiglobal.org →The Center for Patient Advocacy Leaders connects advocates across health conditions through events and shared policy work. Its predecessor network, PALS, began in 2002; The AIDS Institute began managing it in 2016, and development of the center started in 2019. It is broader than an HIV-specific fellowship.[19]
centerforpatientadvocacyleaders.org →AIDS United’s Pedro Zamora fellowship has provided policy experience for students and recent graduates. The linked September 2023 announcement and job description specify 12–18 weeks, 40 hours per week and a $2,600 monthly stipend. These are historical terms, not verified September 2026 openings or compensation. Check the organization’s current vacancy information before applying.[20]
aidsunited.org →Not sure where to start? Compare HealthHIV’s course catalog with your learning goals. For cohort programs, check eligibility and the next application window. NMAC’s older-adult program and PWN’s fellowship have distinct audiences; CAI’s LTI is a New York program. Ask about time, accessibility, cost and recognition of any certificate before committing.
More free training: choose the right audience
You do not need to become a clinician to become an effective advocate. Some courses below are designed for peers and service staff; others teach clinical care. Check the intended audience and prerequisites before registering. A completion certificate is different from a professional license or an employer-recognized credential.
Southeast AIDS Education & Training Center
Free HIV workforce education includes online learning and training through regional partners. IMPART courses include case management and long-acting treatment topics. Choose the course that fits your role; clinical training may assume professional experience.
Explore Southeast AETC →Find your regional AETC
AETCs offer HIV education and training for the healthcare workforce, often without a fee. Use the regional directory to find local or online programs and ask about eligibility, cost, and upcoming in-person sessions.
Find a training center →National HIV Curriculum & National HIV PrEP Curriculum
Free, self-paced clinical education for health professionals and learners. The HIV curriculum covers diagnosis, treatment, and care; the separate PrEP curriculum focuses on prevention. Accounts are needed to track progress or claim eligible credit. These complement the HealthHIV navigation course already listed above.
National HIV Curriculum →National HIV PrEP Curriculum →
HIV Training NY
Free courses primarily serve nonphysician health and human-service providers. The catalog includes self-paced harm-reduction and motivational-interviewing introductions, as well as scheduled classes. Check location and audience requirements for each offering; Florida eligibility is not automatic.
Browse the course catalog →California testing & harm-reduction training
California’s SACT-OP pathway combines online learning with required in-person proficiency assessment for eligible nonmedical HIV/HCV test counselors. Its harm-reduction resources also include free courses for Californians. California certification does not substitute for Florida’s training requirements.
Review California testing training →Youth leadership, education & arts awards
NMAC NextGen
NMAC describes an August 2026–June 2027 cohort with leadership development, a $500 community-project grant, and funded participation at its April 2027 biomedical prevention summit. That cohort is underway. The page does not establish a current open intake; ask about the next cycle. This is a project and participation award, not unrestricted scholarship cash.
Explore NextGen →Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship
A $5,000 scholarship for eligible undergraduate students ages 27 and younger at U.S. institutions, recognizing leadership in health and social justice. HIV status is not an exclusive eligibility requirement. The 2026 cycle is closed; the organizer lists March 1, 2027 for reopening. This is separate from AIDS United’s public-policy fellowship listed above.
Review the scholarship →Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award
A $5,000 award supporting young artists who connect art and activism; enrollment in college is not required. The 2026 cycle is closed, with reopening listed for March 1, 2027. Review the next cycle’s age, application, and project requirements.
Explore the arts award →A Weekend Away — Immersive Training
Some of the most transformative advocacy training happens in person, over two or three days, surrounded by other PLHIV who are doing this work. These aren't vacations. They're skill-building intensives that often lead to lasting networks, mentorships, and community. The investment — travel, time off — is real. So is the return.
AIDSWatch combines advocacy training with congressional meetings. The organizer lists the next event for March 15–17, 2027, based at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel. As checked September 29, 2026, registration is open but scholarship applications are not yet open. Use the event page for current costs, deadlines and scholarship details.[4]
aidsunited.org/aidswatch →NMAC scheduled USCHA 2026 for September 17–20 in Anaheim, California, with the theme “United and Unbreakable: The HIV Movement at 45.” Those dates have passed as of this review. The conference page offers program information; check NMAC for future dates and any recordings or follow-up opportunities rather than treating 2026 registration as an upcoming option.[9]
nmac.org/uscha →NMAC’s 50+ program combines cohort meetings, leadership activities and conference participation. The current page describes a mini-grant component, but current amounts and eligibility should be confirmed. Selection for a cohort is not guaranteed by age or HIV status alone; check NMAC for the next application cycle.[7]
nmac.org →AIDS United describes the Southern HIV Impact Fund as supporting community organizations through grants and technical assistance, including advocacy and leadership work. That does not establish that a particular retreat is currently available or open to individual applicants. Contact AIDS United or a participating organization for current opportunities.[10]
AIDS United Programs →A biennial, multi-day national training academy that centers the leadership of people living with HIV in the fight to end HIV criminalization, mass incarceration, and social injustice.[17] Organized by SERO Project with partner organizations including Positive Women's Network-USA, Positively Trans, and the U.S. PLHIV Caucus, HINAC brings together PLHIV, HIV policy leaders, legal professionals, and public health experts for skills-building grounded in current science and legal strategy. HINAC7 is planned for summer 2027, with dates and location to be announced. Scholarship nominations closed September 27, 2026. People already nominated have an October 15 application deadline. The announcement lists conflicting closing times, so confirm the instructions and apply early. Read SERO’s scholarship announcement. Laws and available defenses differ by jurisdiction.
Explore HINAC training →Ask about financial support before booking travel. Some events offer scholarships, but availability, deadlines and covered expenses vary. AIDSWatch’s 2027 page currently says scholarships are not open; HINAC7 uses a nomination process before applications. Confirm an award and its terms before relying on support.
Florida-Specific
Florida’s surveillance dashboard reports 4,463 HIV diagnoses in 2024, or 19.4 per 100,000 residents. These are diagnoses, not a count of all people living with HIV or newly acquired infections. Training opportunities depend on the organization and region; the linked state dashboard provides dated surveillance without an unsupported current interstate ranking.[11][12]
Florida DOH-Broward says HIV 500 and HIV 501 online training plus face-to-face instruction form its HIV counselor/tester certification pathway. The online TRAIN Florida courses are free and required before classroom attendance. Certification is required for the publicly funded testing role described by DOH; helping with event setup or registration does not by itself make someone a tester. Confirm your intended role and county’s schedule with the organizer.
Florida DOH — HIV 500/501 →[13]Ask a local AIDS service organization or Ryan White provider about peer navigation, training or employment. Clarify whether an opportunity is a volunteer role, a paid job, an internship or a certificate course. Openings, required experience and compensation vary; do not assume that every listed organization currently offers a stipend or training program.
Florida’s ADAP eligibility and services changed during 2026, amid litigation and public advocacy described by AHF. The current DOH page lists direct medication assistance for eligible uninsured people at or below 400% of the federal poverty level and medication copay assistance for qualifying insured clients. Biktarvy and Descovy returned to the formulary July 1, 2026. Insurance-premium assistance has not been restored. Current program rules do not establish a permanent guarantee against future policy changes.[14]
aidshealth.org →Finding Training Near You in Florida
For local leads, contact the county health department, a Ryan White planning council/body or an HIV service organization. The following are starting points for inquiries, not verified current training placements. Service areas do not map to a single set of “11 Part A and B regions.”
- Miami-Dade / South Florida: Care Resource, AHF, Latinos Salud, Pridelines, Health Foundation of South Florida
- Broward County: SunServe, Broward House, DOH-Broward
- Palm Beach County: Compass, Lord's Place
- Orange County / Orlando: Aspire Health Partners, DOH-Orange
- Hillsborough / Tampa Bay: Metro Inclusive Health, Tampa ACTS, DOH-Hillsborough
- Pinellas / Clearwater-St. Pete: Directions for Living, Pinellas County DOH
Start by calling the Ryan White clinic or ASO closest to you and asking: "Do you have peer navigator programs or advocacy training for people living with HIV?" That question alone will open more doors than any website.
Florida county training dates to check
The online HIV 500/501 prerequisites are free. Confirm seats, any classroom fees, prerequisites, and certification steps directly with the county before traveling. These are published schedules checked September 29, 2026.
- Broward: October 14–15 and November 4–5, 2026, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., in Fort Lauderdale. Two-day classroom schedule (PDF).
- Palm Beach: October 13, November 10, and December 8, 2026, 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. The schedule requires online prerequisites completed within six months. Dates and registration requirements (PDF).
- Pinellas: HIV 501 on November 12 and rapid-test training on November 13, 2026. Confirm location, prerequisites, and costs. Published schedule (PDF).
- Miami-Dade: The county describes a blended pathway with live online sessions and practicum requirements. Check the current registration process.
Credentials Worth Knowing About
Not all of these require a clinical background. Not all of them are required to do the work. But they signal competence, open doors to paid positions, and give you credibility in rooms that might otherwise overlook lived experience as a qualification on its own.
| Credential | Offered By | Who It's For | Cost / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIV PrEP Navigation Certification (HIVPNC) | HealthHIV | Peer navigators, case managers, community health workers | Free / Online self-paced |
| HIV 500 / 501 Counselor/Tester Certification | Florida DOH / TRAIN Florida | People pursuing the publicly funded HIV counselor/tester role in Florida | Free / Online + in-person classroom |
| AAHIVM HIV Specialist (AAHIVS) / HIV Pharmacist (AAHIVP) | American Academy of HIV Medicine | Eligible physicians, NPs/PAs and pharmacists; requirements differ by credential[22] | Paid / Exam-based |
| Peer Specialist Certification | State-level; varies | PLHIV working in peer support roles at ASOs or Ryan White clinics | Check role requirements; Florida CRPS concerns behavioral-health recovery, not HIV specifically[15] |
| NMAC BLOC Leadership Training | NMAC / Local Partners | PLHIV of color in leadership development programs | Ask provider about current cost and any completion certificate |
| PWN-USA Policy Fellow | Positive Women's Network — USA | Women and gender-diverse PLHIV in federal policy advocacy | Cohort-specific; 2025–2026 cycle completed |
The Gap Florida Needs to Fill
Florida’s HIV burden creates a need for accessible training and community participation. Evaluating that access requires current information about who can enroll, where programs operate and whether costs or other barriers exclude potential advocates.
The programs listed here show several routes into advocacy, including local planning, national cohorts and courses. This review does not establish that no statewide Florida leadership program exists. Ask state and local partners about new or less-publicized offerings.
Match the credential to the work. Florida’s Certified Recovery Peer Specialist credential is based on lived experience of mental-health or substance-use recovery. It is not an HIV-specific credential. HIV peer-navigation employers may set their own role and training requirements. A credential alone does not guarantee higher pay or employment; confirm what a prospective employer recognizes.[15]
Florida residents can combine relevant courses with local involvement, including HIV organizations, planning councils or planning bodies, and community advisory boards. Ask about current vacancies, meeting access and training for new members.
Ryan White Part A planning councils and planning bodies help set service priorities and allocate resources. HRSA’s August 2023 letter requires at least 33% of membership to be unaffiliated clients receiving Part A services in the jurisdiction; it does not require a majority. Eligible metropolitan areas use planning councils, while transitional grant areas have a formal community-input process through a planning council or planning body. Contact your local group about membership requirements and public participation.[21]
Florida starting points: Ask about the Part A planning council or body serving Miami-Dade, Broward/Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Tampa–St. Petersburg, Jacksonville or Orlando. These are regional service areas, not six interchangeable county governments. A Ryan White provider can direct you to the group covering your address.
The gaps in Florida's PLHIV leadership infrastructure are real — and they are also an opportunity. Every system that doesn't yet include you is one you can push to change.
References & Sources
- HIV.gov. Data and Trends: U.S. Statistics. ~1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S. as of year-end 2022. hiv.gov ↩
- ACT UP Oral History Project. Seize Control of the FDA (October 11, 1988). actuporalhistory.org ↩
- Positive Women's Network — USA. Organizing Spotlight: Thanks to the Texas Strike Force, ADAP for Texans Reinstated (2021). pwn-usa.org ↩
- AIDS United. AIDSWatch 2027: March 15–17, 2027; registration and scholarship status checked September 21, 2026. Source. Historical March 2026 announcement ↩
- HealthHIV. HIV PrEP Navigation Certification Program (HIVPNC). Updated and recertified December 15, 2025. healthhiv.org ↩
- HealthHIV. National HIV E-Learning Training Center. healthhiv.org ↩
- NMAC. HIV 50+ Strong & Healthy Program; current 2026 cohort of 25 scholars, 11 returning and 14 new. Source. ↩
- PWN-USA. 2025–2026 Policy Fellowship: May 2025–June 2026, published eligibility and program terms; completed cohort. Source. ↩
- NMAC. U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) — Venue and Agenda, 2026. Anaheim, CA, Sept. 17–20, 2026. nmac.org ↩
- AIDS United. Grantmaking: Southern HIV Impact Fund organizational grants and technical assistance; individual training availability must be confirmed. Source. ↩
- Florida Department of Health, FLHealthCHARTS. HIV diagnoses: 2024 statewide count and rate, subject to surveillance revision. Source. ↩
- Florida Department of Health, FLHealthCHARTS. State surveillance dashboard; diagnoses are distinct from incidence or total prevalence. Source. ↩
- Florida Department of Health — Broward County. HIV 500 and 501 Blended Learning Registration Information. Updated December 2025. broward.floridahealth.gov ↩
- Florida Department of Health. Current ADAP updates and FAQs: 400% FPL medication pathways, July 1 formulary restoration and discontinued premium assistance. Source. AHF’s March 2026 account of its advocacy and litigation ↩
- Florida Certification Board. Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS). flcertificationboard.org ↩
- Prevention Access Campaign. U=U University Programs — partnership with CDC, GNP+, and IAPAC. preventionaccess.org ↩
- SERO Project. HIV Is Not a Crime National Training Academy (HINAC). seroproject.com; HIV Is Not A Crime 7 Announces Scholarship Nominations for 2027 National Training Academy (July 2026). seroproject.com ↩
- CAI. About the Leadership Training Institute: New York State/City collaboration and New York peer-worker pathway. Source. ↩
- Center for Patient Advocacy Leaders. About: PALS origins in 2002, management by The AIDS Institute from 2016, center development from 2019. Source. ↩
- AIDS United. Pedro Zamora fellowship announcement, September 28, 2023; historical terms, not a verified current vacancy. Source. 2023 job description ↩
- HRSA. Planning council and planning body requirements and expectations, August 29, 2023. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
- American Academy of HIV Medicine. Credentialing: specialist, pharmacist, expert and candidate pathways. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
- NMAC. 2021 Annual Report: BLOC en español curriculum and historical offerings. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
- CDC. HIV Treatment as Prevention: maintained viral suppression below 200 copies/mL and sexual U=U. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
For the full list of organizations and studies that inform RiseUpToHIV, visit our Sources page.