PROJECT SUMMARY – Enrichment Program The Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research Enrichment Program (CCDTR EP) is designed to amplify T2-T4 diabetes research focused on population health and health equity through the promotion of scientific exchange among Chicago-area and national junior and senior investigators. Diabetes translation research encompasses a broad array of research methods from behavioral research to clinical trials to community-based participatory research to cost-effectiveness analysis, and the proposed enrichment program reflects the diversity of these areas. The CCDTR EP is designed to integrate key elements of UC and NU diabetes translation research infrastructure and complement this integration with outside resources to improve population health and health equity for vulnerable populations with diabetes. With the integration of NU into the CCDTR, there is an important opportunity to create a robust cross-Chicago program of diabetes translation seminars, guest speakers, visiting scientists, consultants, and workshops. The Specific Aims of the CCDTR EP will be to: Aim 1) Enhance and enrich the environment for diabetes translation research in Chicagoland through seminars, symposia and workshops for trainees, junior investigators, senior investigators, and non-academic stakeholders; and Aim 2) Create a Chicagoland network of diabetes translational investigators who work together and with City of Chicago public health leaders to improve diabetes health and diabetes health disparities. We will establish a joint CCDTR incubator weekly meeting and cross-pollinate UC and Northwestern researchers by integrating cross-institutional leaders in the planning of the CCDTR-sponsored Annual Chicago Diabetes Day and NU's Institute for Public Health and Medicine's Annual Population Health Forum. In addition, the CCDTR EP will intentionally connect with investigators from diverse backgrounds and community stakeholders throughout Chicagoland to join the center in order to strengthen collaborations and provide opportunities for dissemination. Finally, the CCDTR EP will systematically identify and connect with all of Chicagoland's diabetes translation researchers, public health experts, and community stakeholders. The major benefit of the CCDTR EP will be to provide diabetes researchers, ranging from trainees to senior investigators, as well as partners and stakeholders, with a forum to collaborate, innovate, and disseminate outstanding diabetes translation research. In concert with other CCDTR activities, the EP will accelerate the equitable conduct, dissemination, and implementation of translational diabetes research across Chicagoland.