Abstract Supplemental funds are requested to increase the accessibility and capacity for intramural research experiences at Hampton University for pre-U-RISE and U-RISE Scholars. We desire to expose students to state-of-the-art biomedical research starting as early as their first year. Our objective is to expand our biomedical research capacity for creating course-based research experiences (CUREs) and other active- learning biomedical research experiences for our students. A significant obstacle to achieving our goals is the absence of the necessary equipment and facilities to implement innovative 21st-century biomedical research training to engage our students. The lack of these facilities and training programs has greatly limited the participation of our students in meaningful and productive intramural research activities. Our focus is drug development and discovery for infectious diseases. We propose to create an intentional training plan that allows pre-URISE students and other HU students to be exposed to biomedical training opportunities that cross-departmental silos. Our proposed activities will complement our ongoing training activities at HU. Objectives of the new training plan include 1) Pique HU students' interest in biomedical research through engagement in intramural year-long biomedical research and CUREs as early as their first year. 2) Ensure that HU students are engaged in relevant and meaningful intramural research in modern facilities and 3) Increase the scientific identity of HU students through the active dissemination of the results of their work via peer- reviewed scientific publications.