Project Summary Funded by NIA since 1991, this application seeks the 7th competitive renewal for a highly successful T32 program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). It requests support for 4 predoctoral and 4 postdoctoral trainees in aging biology and translational gerontology research. The major mission of this T32 is to provide interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art training to talented pre- and post-doctoral fellows in basic biological and translational/clinical research in aging and related diseases. In keeping with our track record, it is projected that the majority of trainees in the next funding cycle will pursue successful academic careers, and lead prominent programs in aging research across the country. This application builds upon the remarkable resources of UW in gerontology research and includes 39 (20 women and 19 men) faculty mentors with acknowledged expertise in aging research. Notably, the mentors are balanced across the three faculty ranks of Professor (20), Associate Professor (12) and Assistant Professor (7), and each mentor has a celebrated history of conducting NIH- or other peer-reviewed source-funded cutting-edge research in aging and training successful scientists in gerontology. For over 32 years, this T32 has received substantial institutional commitment. The present application includes significant financial commitments, including support for a (i.e., 5th position) predoctoral position each year, funds to cover 10% effort for both the Program Director and Co-Director annually, and salary support to cover 25% effort for a T32 Administrator. Additional strengths of this application include: 1) inclusion of 14 (36%) new faculty mentors representing emerging areas in aging and translational research; 2) balanced distribution of mentors between early-stage, mid-career, and established faculty ranks; 3) history of over 87% of T32 trainees supported over the past 15 years pursuing successful research-related careers; 4) notable accomplishments by trainees with each publishing peer-reviewed papers, presenting preliminary findings at local or national meetings, and attending courses as necessary; 5) enhanced efforts to increase recruitment and retention of trainees from underrepresented groups; and 6) inclusion of an outstanding training curriculum in both basic biological and clinical research with the addition of new teaching programs. Overall, the present T32 will continue to provide outstanding training to talented young scientists in both laboratory-based and clinical/translational research in aging and related diseases, and help them launch successful, independently funded academic careers in gerontology.