PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The reasons for increased incidence and mortality due to prostate cancer in African-American men could be due to inherent biological differences and/or socio-economic reasons, but most likely, combination of both. Combined strategies based on biomedical research, social/behavioral research and community engagement are required to combat this disease in the African-American community. The Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD) has focused on reducing the burden of prostate cancer disparities through research, outreach, and education since 2005. In an effort to engage in bidirectional efforts that inform research development and progression in health disparities, with support of RCMI, the CCRTD expanded community core functions to include community engagement (Community Engagement Core) in 2019 as part of its center’s efforts. The goal of the CEC is to foster a culture of community engagement promoting community-university partnerships that enrich teaching, learning, research, and creative activities, address critical societal issues, and contributing to the public good. Through our ongoing RCMI award (5U54MD007590-35), the CEC has engaged a diverse group of regional stakeholders (e.g., community groups, scientists, advocacy groups) in the Atlanta metropolitan area to tackle issues of health disparities related to prostate cancer. In this renewal, we propose to strengthen and expand on established ties while engaging the community in the prioritization, conduct, and dissemination of research on prostate cancer. To this end, the CEC propose the following Specific Aims: (A) In Aim 1, the CEC will establish and strengthen university-community partnerships and community engagement to improve prostate cancer health disparities. Through this aim, we intend to provide new opportunities and expand on existing opportunities for discourse between community partners and community members to be informed about prostate cancer prevention and treatment. (B) In Aim 2, the CEC will collaborate with community partners regarding the research and service activities of CCRTD. Through this aim, we propose to deepen knowledge and understanding of high-quality community engagement practices in the research enterprise of the CCRTD. (C) In Aim 3, the CEC will disseminate findings from the research projects through mutual interaction between the CCRTD scientists and the community.