PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT From the inception of the Proteoglycans (PGs) Gordon Research Conference (GRC) in 1984, this biennial meeting has become an essential meeting for PG researchers. It is now recognized as the leading international forum for PG and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) research. Key to its success is its strong history as a meeting with a collegial atmosphere that fosters the dissemination of unpublished and emerging research that stimulates scientific discussions and collaborations among attendees. This proposal is requesting partial support for the next PGs GRC, “Frontiers in Basic and Translational Proteoglycan Research to Improve Human Health,” which will be held from July 10th to July 15th, 2022 and the associated PG GRS entitled, “Integrated Proteoglycan Research to Improve Human Health,” to be held on July 9th - 10th, 2022 at Proctor Academy, Andover, NH. The conference program was developed with the input from the Advisory Committee consisting of past Chairs of PGs GRCs plus organizers of meetings for the international conferences on PGs (ICP) and the International Society for Hyaluronan Sciences (ISHAS). This committee provides expertise across a broad area, including fundamental, translational, and clinical PG research. The meeting program developed with the help of the advisory committee will bring together highly regarded scientists performing high-impact PG research, some of whom will be attending this meeting for the first time. The invited scientists will present the latest findings in fundamental PG research addressing biosynthesis, catabolism, and technological advances in the field. A major focus of this GRC will be presentations highlighting PGs as therapeutic tools and targets. To provide early-stage investigators an opportunity to highlight their research, the meeting program includes short talks and poster sessions. Short talks will be selected from abstracts to be complementary to the theme of a session. The scientific program aims to present state-of-the-art science to spark scientific discussions and collaborations, leading to the generation of new ideas, innovative research projects, and new grant proposals. The organizers have and will continue to pay careful attention to ensure equal gender representation of speakers and discussion leaders and increase the number of underrepresented groups in all aspects of the conference. Additionally, a discussion of gender issues/impediments in scientific career development will occur in the one-hour session entitled “Power Hour.” Attendees of this meeting will be selected by invitation or from the applications submitted online, with careful attention paid to develop a demographically diverse and inclusive meeting. Based on previous attendance to the PGs GRC, we expect approximately 200 attendees. 1