The overall objective of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemiology and prevention postdoctoral training program at Northwestern University is to prepare academically-oriented MD and PhD trained investigators for research-intensive careers in CVD epidemiology and prevention. This ongoing multidisciplinary research training program is entering it’s 19th consecutive year and proposes to continue supporting 4 postdoctoral trainees for a training period that is typically 2 years in duration. At the completion of training, our alumni will be prepared for independent research careers in many sectors including academia, government and industry. We will achieve these outcomes by advertising our training program openings and using a rigorous selection process to identify promising candidates from a diversity of academic backgrounds (MD and PhDs from methodologically rigorous graduate programs). In addition to academic diversity, we will continue our targeted actions to attract candidates who have been traditionally underrepresented in science and medicine. Our program will continue to provide training in epidemiology, prevention, biostatistics, nutrition, behavioral medicine, vascular medicine, endocrinology, cardiovascular imaging, health services research, dissemination and implementation and the study of molecular mechanisms of disease (including ‘-omics). The home for the training program is the resource-rich environment at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The department where the program is housed, is home to multiple cohort studies that include persons across the lifecourse and capture a breadth of cardiovascular outcomes. Program faculty are well-funded and highly research active. As a result, there are additional opportunities for trainees to participate in data collection and the implementation of rigor and reproducibility in study design and analysis. Trainees will work with their mentors to identify SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic and Time-Bound) training goals in their individual career advancement plan (ICAP). These goals and plan for training to achieve them is based on the program competencies in knowledge, skills and professional growth. The ICAP is reviewed and updated quarterly and feedback is provided by the trainees’ mentoring committee which is comprised of at least 2 program mentors. The centerpiece of the training program is trainee engagement in mentored research projects that yield scientific products such as manuscripts and presentations for dissemination to the scientific community and lay community (whenever applicable). The Program Director, Associate Director and mentors are a highly experienced team who has worked together for many years. The program administration is supported by an administrative infrastructure that provides input on the program vision and mission, selection of trainees and curriculum. Ongoing evaluation allows for programmatic modifications in order to ma...