ABSTRACT – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORE Effective research mentoring relationships are critical to developing the next generation of researchers. The overall objective of the University of Michigan (UM) Kidney, Urology, and Hematology Research Training Network (KUHR) Professional Development Core is to develop and support, activities and curricula designed to enhance trainee competitiveness in research. Importantly the core also includes programs to enhance preceptor training and continued improvement. Through the Professional Development Core activities, trainees and preceptors will learn how to improve these research mentoring relationships at all career stages and across the entire spectrum of research from bench to bedside to promote cultural change that values excellence and equity and inclusion in research mentoring as a critical aspect of diversifying the research workforce. As such, formal training in mentorship, career development and team science are critical to the successful transition from mentored training to independent research. The UM KUHR Professional Development Core will enhance leadership, team building and career development for both trainees and preceptors through completion of the following specific aims: Specific Aim 1: To achieve enhanced trainee competitiveness in research. Trainees will complete program curricula that will enhance their skills in identifying the most relevant scientific questions and approaches to solve/tackle them, making effective presentations, both written and oral and overall communication and develop an effective professional network. This includes the following activities: 1) Responsible Conduct of Research Training, 2) Rigor and Reproducibility Training 3) Career Development Activities, 4) Specialty Training/Technical Skills, and 5) Pedagogical Training in Teaching. Specific Aim 2: To develop and support effective mentoring by preceptors. Program Faculty Preceptors will complete program curricula that will enhance their skills in effective mentoring and includes the following activities: 1) Mentoring Academy, 2) Mentoring Forum, 3) Culturally Aware Mentorship Training, 4) Pedagogical Training in Teaching, and 5) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training.