FACULTY DEVELOPMENT CORE―ABSTRACT The Faculty Development Core (FacDevCore) for NURTURE: Northwestern University Recruitment to Transform Under-Representation and achieve Equity will enhance an ecosystem of inclusive excellence to support and enable a Cohort of new faculty from underrepresented groups (URGs) to thrive at Northwestern University (NU). The FacDevCore will play a key role in complementing recent and upcoming institutional culture change initiatives within NU by implementing innovative, personalized programs and strategies for the NURTURE Cohort that will promote integration, strengthen community building, and foster career development and progression. Our three overarching goals involve: 1) supporting NU-wide efforts to foster inclusive climates within and across schools, institutes, centers, departments, divisions, and new NURTURE Scientific Neighborhoods; 2) applying evidence-based programs and structures to promote comprehensive, customized career advancement and strong sense of community and belonging for NURTURE faculty; and 3) offering progressive, structured mentorship and sponsorship to empower NURTURE faculty for sustained success, promotion, and tenure. The FacDevCore will coordinate with the Administrative and Evaluation Cores to advance its focus on developing, evaluating, and refining a social ecology that embraces the unique strengths of Cohort members in a context of enhanced career advancement so each member succeeds and thrives. The FacDevCore leadership will oversee supports offered to both Cohort members and their career advancement teams. These goals will be achieved through the following Specific Aims: Aim 1: Implement evidence-based policies, structures, and networks that accelerate a more inclusive and welcoming academic culture for URG faculty at NU, including achieving competency in inclusive practices and behaviors for existing and new faculty; establishing the Safe Space Ambassadors Team to foster open dialogue and problem-solving on institutional and structural challenges associated with academic advancements; and creating networks that reduce isolation and increase community for the NURTURE Cohort. Aim 2: Expand skills of senior scientists within NURTURE’s Scientific Neighborhoods to optimize the NURTURE environment by forming Neighborhoods that leverage NU’s existing departments, institutes and centers to create coordinated, collaborative, and supportive teams for each NURTURE cluster; implementing a holistic approach to faculty promotion and academic advancement; and engaging senior scientists to sponsor Cohort members for leadership opportunities at NU and beyond. Aim 3: Engage the NURTURE Cohort with faculty-driven options for training and skill-enhancement that will advance their career, professional, and personal development. FacDevCore programming will complement existing and planned diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on faculty development within NU to develop and sustain solutions to e...