The goal of A Chicago Center of Excellence in Learning Health Systems Research Training (ACCELERAT) is to develop the next generation of health system transformation leaders. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disruptive impact on almost all aspects of life in the US, including academic research and training. Illinois is among the states hit hardest by COVID-19, with over 110,000 cases and more than 5,000 deaths. A majority of these cases and deaths are concentrated in the Chicagoland region. Thus, both ACCELERAT scholars and faculty have, and will continue to experience both new COVID-19 responsibilities and unforeseen barriers to completion of the K12 mentored research and embedded health improvement activities. The proposed K12 research supplemental funds will both enable current ACCELERAT Scholars to (a) extend K12 research timelines to complete proposed research interrupted by COVID-19 and to (b) enhance current research to address urgent COVID-19 topics related to their ongoing research. The preliminary research that emerges from both the extended time and enhancements will strengthen the timeliness and relevance of future independent funding applications by including enhanced and complete preliminary data that are directly relevant to the learning health system in the COVID-19 era.