Summary Partial support is requested for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, and junior and midcareer faculty to participate in the Gordon Research Seminar and Conference (GRS/GRC) entitled “Plasminogen Activation and Extracellular proteolysis”, which will be held in Ventura, CA on February 17-18 and 18-23, 2024, respectively. This will be the 19th GRC, as the conference has been held continuously every two years since 1990. The theme of the 2024 GRC will be Cutting-Edge Research, Emerging Therapeutics, and Clinical Outcomes with major focus on mechanisms and therapeutic targets of extracellular proteolytic enzymes, including plasmin(ogen), plasminogen activators, coagulation proteases, matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs), their precursors and effectors. Recent data suggest that the expression of proteases with circulation and the extravascular compartments of tissues is tied to numerous pathological processes. Our invited speakers and discussion leaders will present their recent and emerging work across a spectrum of basic science and clinical topics, including cardiovascular disease, aging, cerebrovascular function, metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, infection and immunity, tissue remodeling and regeneration, as well as trauma. Priority will be placed on highlighting both the role these proteins play as disease modifiers as well the utility of employing or targeting these factors for therapy. One of the major goals for the 2024 GRC meeting is translating basic research into clinical outcomes. Attendees will be selected by invitation and from applications submitted online. They will be chosen to represent not only a diverse spectrum of research, but a strong emphasis will be on diversity of participants, equity of opportunity, and inclusion of individuals across all demographic metrics. There will be participation of women, scientists from underrepresented groups, and people with disability as session leaders and speakers. An intended strength of this meeting will be the interaction and networking of the young scientists in the field, with the discussion leaders and the speakers. The associated GRS, which is a much younger feature of the conference, will provide a unique opportunity for trainees and scientists to share in the GRC experience. This two-day seminar will be organized by Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows with the support of leading researchers and the GRC Chairs and will allow junior researchers within the field of plasminogen activation, MMP, and extracellular proteolysis to come together to discuss their current research, while building informal networks with their peers that may lead to a lifetime of collaboration and scientific achievement.