PAVE is a voluntary consortium of U.S. government agencies and key U.S. government-funded organizations involved in the development and evaluation of HIV/AIDS preventive vaccines and the conduct of HIV vaccine clinical trials.

The goal to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine is one that no single entity or institution is likely to accomplish on its own. Therefore, PAVE's goal is to achieve better harmony and increased operational and cost efficiencies in HIV vaccine development and in the conduct of HIV vaccine clinical trials, especially phase III trials, through serving as a forum and clearinghouse for information sharing and planning. PAVE will also serve to eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort. PAVE is a synergistic partnership that pools intellectual resources and experience to achieve fundamental goals that a number of U.S. government agencies and others share in common. PAVE does not represent a funding organization, and members are expected to support their activities from other governmental or non-governmental sources.