Despite substantial advances in treatment, behavioral interventions, and policies, cardiovascular and related diseases (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States (U.S.) accounting for over 787,000 deaths annually. Research has long been recognized to be crucial to the overall improvement of cardiovascular health and health outcomes. However, a highly-trained, diverse research workforce is sorely needed to build an evidence base that is broader, and more innovative and robust for new approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. Graduate research training programs are known to be a key factor in developing a successful research enterprise. The critical need for effective, evidence-based graduate research training programs focused on population cardiovascular epidemiology cannot be overstated, particularly among diverse groups and in regions of the US with an unacceptably high burden of CVD, such as Mississippi. We therefore propose to create the Mississippi Graduate Training and Education Center (MSGTEC) to develop, implement, and evaluate a 2-year evidence-based, hands-on program to train and “coach” a diverse group of graduate students enrolled in health-related fields from five partner colleges and universities in Mississippi. The MS-GTEC will also advance the science of research training and education of graduate students and early career faculty members. Our team brings expertise in cardiovascular epidemiology and related research, health disparities research, and evidence-based approaches in research training, education, and coaching of diverse students and early career faculty, along with a deep familiarity and history of engagement with colleges and universities in Mississippi.