ABSTRACT – NETWORKING CORE The University of Michigan Kidney, Urology and Hematology Research Training Network (UM-KUHR) will develop a Networking Core that will foster TL1 trainee interactions and expand outreach to all levels of trainees from precollege students to residents. Specific Aim 1: To develop a structured community of scientists that will enable networking for the TL1 trainees, near-peers, trainees in other KUH programs, and KUH faculty. We will create vertical integration amongst the TL1 supported trainees within the KUH training programs. The TL1 supported trainees will interact with upper-level K trainees in their respective disciplines using in person and virtual meetings. With the assistance of a communications manager, we will establish and operate a web-based blog, coupled with social media applications to promote cooperative research amongst the trainees and research groups. These resources will also foster horizontal interactions amongst the trainees across training disciplines. Specific Aim 2: Expand UM-KUHR outreach to all levels of trainees to facilitate trainee entry to KUH research. A particular strength of our training program will be outreach to precollege, undergraduate, medical students and residents at the University of Michigan and neighboring institutions. Our program already has extensive outreach efforts to precollege students in the Southeast Michigan region through our participation in the Healthy Schools Program that reaches into underserved populations. Similarly, we have a strong connection with UM undergraduate students through the Undergraduate Student Kidney Diagnostic and Screening Program. The Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative, directed by UM urology faculty, offers undergraduate students exposure to clinical urology and quality improvement related research. Our faculty interface with several undergraduate research training programs on campus, many focused on providing research training for disadvantaged students. During the course of the training period, we will develop a summer research program for undergraduate students using matching institutional funds that will support this training grant. Our mentors will continue to interface with medical students through the George O'Brien Summer Research Program for Medical Students, the Medical Student T35 Short Term Research Training Grant and the Medical Scientist Training Program. In addition, we offer multiple research training opportunities to residents. Using the vehicles listed we will connect with undergraduate and medical students at sister institutions including Wayne State, University of Toledo and Michigan State University. In particular, we can make deep connections with Michigan State University through the training grant support of a Michigan State Faculty. Finally, the networking core will facilitate connection with allied disciplines such as Nursing and Engineering to complete a robust network.