ABSTRACT: RESEARCH EDUCATION CORE The Research Education Core (REC) will facilitate skills development and mentored training experiences for scientists embedded with one of our nine LHS Innovation Hub health system partners. The REC will be responsible for preliminary application review for LeaHD scientist positions, conducting candidate interviews, and administering the LHS Research Core Competency Needs Assessment. The REC will rate applications and make final selection and recommendations for LeaHD scientist appointments. The REC will match scientists with academic mentors, health systems partners, and on-site mentors for experiential training. The REC will use LHS research competency results to identify training gaps and goals, and to suggest training activities. The REC will oversee development of individualized training plans (IDPs) that clearly define goals, training activities, and deliverables, and mentoring agreements which define the parameters for the academic mentor-mentee relationship. It will review IDPs and mentoring plans at the outset of the program and biannually thereafter. The LeaHD training program will implement a structured training plan with required elements (e.g., PCORI Methodology Standards curriculum), individualized components, health system engagement, and evaluation. Over the course of five years, the REC will train 13 embedded scientists (12 supported by AHRQ, one by Brown University). The REC will provide structured and individualized didactic training opportunities, dedicated professional development funds, travel support, information resources, and technical support. The scientist stipend will support ~40% time and effort for a junior faculty member or full- time effort for a postdoctoral fellow for 18 months. Additional funding will be provided to cover research expenses or extended training as needed. Eligible applicants must have doctoral level or equivalent training and prior research experience focused on rehabilitation or long term services and support for persons with disability and/or chronic conditions. Finally, the REC will identify and collaborate with health system partners to secure additional funding to support and sustain LHS research efforts. IMPACT: The REC will ensure that LeaHD’s embedded scientist program provides mentored training and health system engagement to foster long-term, successful careers in LHS research for scientists whose work focuses on improving care for persons with disability and chronic conditions.