PROJECT SUMMARY The NM-INSPIRES Pilot Program will further the Center’s Overall Goals in several ways. The Pilot Program will provide support for short-term projects to explore the feasibility of new areas of study with the goal of obtaining high quality data to pursue extramural applications. The structure of the Pilot Program promotes effective coordination with the Administrative Core to develop pilot grant opportunities that reinforce center goals and fill identified gaps in research areas relevant to the NM-INSPIRES current and emerging scientific focus. The Pilot Program will provide effective mechanisms for applicant interaction with Center Cores prior to full application submission to enhance technical innovation, translational potential and community engagement. Furthermore, the Pilot Program will support early stage investigator and community-engaged pilots. Coordination with the Administrative Core will ensure that early stage investigators gain additional career development support to strengthen success for the next generation of Environmental Health problem-solvers. The Pilot Program will enhance the research capacity of existing Environmental Health Programs and facilitate innovative research to address complex and emerging questions through engagement of new researchers and by fostering new interactions and collaborations. A Rapid Response pilot category will support studies to address urgent and time-sensitive Environmental Health issues in our communities. The Pilot Program is integral to NM-INSPIRES and will contribute to research synergy, actively facilitate innovative research, promote research that addresses community needs and ensure ongoing success of the Environmental Health Sciences community at the University of New Mexico.