The Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise (the Enterprise) is a unique global alliance of independent organizations working together to accelerate the development of safe and effective HIV vaccines. The cornerstone of the Enterprise is its Scientific Strategic Plan (the Plan), the framework for a new era of HIV vaccine research that builds on the exceptional progress from the past five years. Developed by the Enterprise Council with the input of more than 400 researchers, policy-makers, funders and advocates worldwide, the 2010 Plan will be released at the AIDS Vaccine 2010 conference in Atlanta, USA in September. In advance of the 2010 Plan, the Enterprise released a new overview of the greatest challenges and opportunities in HIV vaccine research at AIDS 2010 in Vienna.