Tuberculosis remains the most common fatal infectious disease worldwide due to the absence of a sufficiently effective vaccine. Two critical barriers to the development of an effective TB vaccine are the incomplete understanding of the mechanisms of protective immunity to TB, and of the mechanisms of immune evasion by M. tuberculosis. The interactions among speakers and attendees at this conference will promote collaborations between scientists with complementary expertise who work in geographically distinct institutions, including those in high TB burden regions. This conference will present new findings on mechanisms of protective immunity to M. tuberculosis, and promote dialogue between immunologists and scientists in different areas of expertise to fill gaps in knowledge. Participants will also discuss advances in TB vaccine development and vaccine immunology. Finally, this conference will cover advances in other fields of immunology and other infectious diseases characterized by pathogen persistence, which will help to inform development of effective TB vaccines.