Our KL2 program seeks to develop the careers of 3 highly qualified scholars (junior faculty) at any given time. The goal is that scholars become translational scientists who will possess both the fundamental NCATS competencies and 7 essential characteristics that will enable them to become transformational agents of change across the translational research spectrum. These 7 characteristics are: boundary crosser, team player, process innovator, domain expert, rigorous researcher, skilled communicator, and systems thinker. We will accomplish this by offering mentoring via a transdisciplinary team, a structured curriculum, and multiple enrichment opportunities. The typical scholar will have a 2-year tenure, submit an application for extramural funding as PI, and acquire an MSCI, although PhD level work is also possible, and not all scholars may work towards a formal degree. Another new feature for this application is a choice of 5 formal pathways (for both degree and non-degree scholars), 4 of which represent specialization in a translational domain (e.g. data science). The KL2 is fully integrated into the UMCCTS K program, which is an umbrella program modeled after the KL2 but adding 3 additional institutionally funded K scholars.