For the latest updates, trends, and opportunities for all things
multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs)
Dear MPT Insiders,

It’s been a busy couple of months for us here at the IMPT!

For starters, our annual update of the MPT Product Development Database now exhibits a larger number of MPT candidates in active development and a wider array of delivery approaches! Use the search engine or the downloadable PDF tables on our Database homepage to see what’s in this dynamic R&D pipeline as of this month. We will continue to update it on a rolling basis throughout the year, so don’t hesitate to share product updates with us at any time.

In addition, we refreshed the socio-behavioral research hub on the IMPT website with more user-friendly categories to help you find what you’re looking for when planning your product R&D.

Excitingly, our team has grown by two! This summer we onboarded two interns, Hannah and Madison, who have enthusiastically joined the work to raise awareness and support for MPTs. Check out their blogs to find out what brought them to the IMPT and their new post discussing the self-care movement and MPTs!

This month we also introduced the MPT Mini Video Series, bringing digestible bits of the MPT story to your fingertips.

Finally, we are very appreciative of our IMPT Advisory Council for their thoughtful input and final review of our IMPT 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. We are excited to continue championing a future where new MPTs are an accessible reality!

This issue of the MPT Insider is jam-packed with pertinent resources including our Let’s Talk MPTs Webinar recordings, new articles on MPT development, conferences, fellowship opportunities – and more!

As always, thanks for partnering with us to advance MPTs,

Secretariat Staff
Let's Talk MPTs Webinar Discussion Series

For the Let’s Talk MPTs Webinar series, we were joined by experts from across the field to discuss MPT development, innovation, and pressing issues in sexual and reproductive health.

In case you missed it, in June we held two live webinar discussions in this series, which are now available as on-demand recordings here along with additional readings and materials:
Stay tuned for the upcoming final webinar in the Let’s Talk MPTs Series
MPTs in the Media

Scientists develop contraceptive antibodies that paralyze sperm. Khademhosseini, I. (2021). Texas News Today

BU researchers develop novel, woman controlled contraceptive product. (2021). American Association for the Advancement of Science


Dapirivine ring: Giving Women Power over HIV/Aids. Sachiti, R. (2021). The Chronicle

One size does not fit all when it comes to preventing HIV. Shukla, S. (2021). The Nation Thailand.
Funding Opportunities

Two recently released opportunities are listed below. See other available opportunities here.

HIV Prevention Fund | ViiV Healthcare is launching the HIV Prevention Fund to support community-led and community-driven national and regional efforts to end AIDS by 2030. The fund covers countries that are part of the European Union and the UK, as well as Argentina, China, Brazil, Russia, Peru, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Vietnam, and Ukraine. Applications close on September 1, 2021. 

Wellcome Grant Funding | This scheme provides funding and professional development resources for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health and well-being. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research program. Applications are due October 26, 2021.

Upcoming Conferences and Key Dates


Just passed! July 18 - 21, 2021 | 11th IAS Conference on HIV Science #IAS2021
Featuring the latest technological advances to support HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. The presentation sessions, e-posters, and abstracts from this conference will be available freely to IAS Members in August and to the general public starting in September here. Here is a sneak peak of poster presentations by some of our partners in the MPT domain:


September 6-9, 2021 | Joint Australasian HIV & AIDS and Sexual Health Conferences (virtual) 
As the leading forum in Australasia for the dissemination and presentation of new and innovative research findings, this conference will involve short presentations, panels, interactive activities, and debates from national and international experts and stakeholders who will provide a vision for the future of reproductive health. Register before August 22, 2021. CAMI Health Founder and Director, Bethany Young Holt, will be presenting recent developments in the MPT field at the inaugural Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Day: A future fit for reproductive health and rights by 2050, to be held virtually on Thursday September 9, 2021.

September 14-15 (Boston, USA) & 28 (virtual), 2021 | Women’s Health Innovation Summit
This conference aims to accelerate innovation, investment, research and partnerships to improve the access and quality of healthcare for women worldwide. View the conference agenda here!

September 20 - October 2, 2021 | Society of Family Planning; Annual Meeting #SFP2021 (virtual) 
Join the national conversation about equitable contraception between a prestigious community of scholars, clinicians, and partners. Register before September 14, 2021 to access live-streamed content, poster presentations, networking events, and professional development workshops.

September 23, 2021 | Women Funded 2021 (virtual) 
The Women’s Funding Network hosts their annual conference to discuss intersectional feminism as it relates to global place-based gender equity solutions, convening stakeholders from across the gender and racial justice fields. Save the date for this year’s conference on September 23!

October 4-6, 2021 | YTH Live Global 2021 #YTHLive2021 (virtual)
This conference showcases the brightest minds and cutting-edge research in topics ranging from sexual and reproductive health to mental health, health equity, climate change and COVID-19. YTH Live helps executive directors, funders, developers, public health professionals, and students of all ages learn about the latest trends in health, innovation, and technology.

October 14-15, 2021 | UCSF; 14th Annual Health Disparities Research Symposium (virtual) 
Showcasing a breadth of health disparities research within the United States’ Bay Area, this symposium inspires future collaboration & builds cross-disciplinary community. The Office of Diversity and Outreach at the University of California San Francisco offers this unique opportunity to learn from and connect with experts in this field.

October 27-30, 2021 | 18th European AIDS Conference #EACS2021 (virtual + London, UK) 
Under the theme "Crossing Borders", this year’s hybrid conference showcases innovations in clinical care and partnerships working in HIV. Clinical case abstracts will be accepted until August 30, 2021. Register today!

November 14-17, 2022 | 6th International Conference of Family Planning 
This conference is set to take place in Pattaya City, Thailand. This will be a stage to disseminate knowledge, celebrate successes, and identify next steps toward reaching the goal of universal access to family planning systems, services and products. Learn more!

Contact us if you or your colleagues are attending any upcoming meetings where MPTs will be featured. We’re happy to provide materials to help enhance your presentations. We’d also love to include any materials that you share with us from recent MPT relevant events in our MPT Resource Center. 
Fellowship & Career Opportunities

Are you interested in career pathways in MPT research? See resources here! A couple highlights include the following:

The Gilead Research Scholars HIV program | Gilead Science is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that advances innovative medicines for life-threatening illnesses. Gilead is now accepting applications for the Gilead Research Scholars Program in HIV, which awards $130,000 USD over 2 years to support emerging investigators in the field of HIV globally. Applicants must meet these eligibility requirements, and apply through this portal by August 30, 2021 at 11:59PM PST.

The Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI) supports the career development of students and research trainees directly through their Success program. MCI accepts applications on a rolling basis for any activity or need that advances the career of a trainee interested in the field of male contraception. Eligible activities include travel grants, digital conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. Contact [email protected] for questions regarding eligibility and apply here! To learn more about MCI’s Male Contraceptive Fellowship and support for trainee researchers, register for their webinar on August 26, 2021.
Help us advance MPTs from the lab to women’s hands so we can address these and other interlinked reproductive health risks. Donate on our website today!
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