The AIDS 2020 Local Planning Group in partnership with the California HIV Research Program will sponsor a symposium highlighting the successes of and challenges faced by research conducted across disciplines and communities, and lessons applicable to research in HIV, COVID-19, and health disparities. We will highlight mixed-method, community-based and participatory research aimed at preventing HIV infection or increasing engagement and retention in HIV care, while recognizing the social determinants that drive the HIV epidemic among vulnerable populations. The symposium will begin with two pre-recorded overview presentations, available on-demand during AIDS 2020, showcasing multidisciplinary research projects conducted in California. Each presentation will survey the challenges to and successes of collaborative HIV research in the Bay Area. During the live session the pre-recorded speakers will recap their remarks, followed by two respondent panelists drawing lessons for future collaborative research in HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and health disparities. The session will close with audience Q&A.