Research in the Humsafar Trust has played an important role in informing, designing and guiding interventions pertaining to the HIV related risk behaviors of men having sex with men (MSM). The studies have been continuously covering a variety of groups from MSM circle and components of the intervention program. Research studies as an integral part of an intervention were in-built into the programs of the Humsafar Trust. The history of research in the Humsafar Trust dates back to 1992 when for the first time, India's first gay magazine `Bombay Dost' conducted a study through a mailed questionnaire to its' subscribers on the issues of male sexual health. The study in 1992 paved the way for Starting Friday Workshops on MSM issues such as family and relationships, sexuality related stigma at the workplace etc, since then every study, whether big or small is used to provide feedback to the intervention programs.

Over the years, research studies in the Humsafar Trust have become technically sound just as the interventions have become more focused and sophisticated. However, the credit of creating an environment for scientific research can itself be attributed to those core members of the Humsafar Trust who themselves did not come from research background but, were visionary in their approach of evidence based planning. These very people conducted mapping and needs assessment. Despite the lack of guidance and methodological support for the mapping exercise, the core members conducted it in a scientific manner that eventually helped in standardizing the method for MSM mapping. Professional researchers by training came in much later in 1999 -2000, when Alpana Dange, a researcher conducted a baseline study for first MSM intervention funded by the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society.

In the field of Social Development, this organization has carved its' niche by extensively studying and linking the clinical data to behavioral data to inform more about the progression of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among MSM. Mental health issues of MSM are extremely important, yet little research from India is available in this area. This year the organization has initiated a research study on mental health of MSM. Strategic alliance with the Sion Hospital and Medical College has just not resulted into exemplary public-NGO partnership, but it has also facilitated analysis and usage of epidemiological and clinical data for the benefit of larger spectrum of MSM (kindly refer to annexure).

Currently, the Humsafar Trust has a pool of researchers for its' various interventions. They are from diverse fields such as social sciences, social work, public health, medical sciences, management and media. The Humsafar Trust now also has an ethics review board with a FWA. Besides the in-house researchers the role of external agencies such as the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Family Health International (FHI) and FENWAY must be acknowledged in strengthening the research studies in the Humsafar Trust. These agencies have provided valuable technical support on designing studies, determining sample size etc.