Summary Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and training the next generation of researchers is essential for developing new strategies to prevent and improve the treatment of diabetes. This T32 program will provide closely mentored, individualized, in-depth training in an interactive and supportive, multidisciplinary environment that fosters collaboration between disciplines and strongly promotes recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The largest university in the Chicago area with annual research expenditures of approximately $335 million, and recognized as a Minority and Hispanic Serving Institution, UIC provides outstanding opportunities for training in basic, clinical, translational, and behavioral and community-based research targeting diabetes and access to cutting edge technologies. PhD, MD and trainees in other clinical disciplines will be highly selected based on demonstrated research interest, accomplishments and potential, engagement in research, and the accomplishment of milestones (identification of research mentors, preparation of a preliminary project proposal and IDP) will be required prior to joining the T32 program. Individualized training and career development plans are developed at the outset with input from multidisciplinary mentoring teams that identify appropriate goals, needs and milestones. Trainees will receive training in grant writing, research integrity and ethics and methods to enhance research reproducibility, and participate in research seminars, journal clubs and work-in-progress meetings, and, when appropriate, complete graduate level courses pertinent to their research and career goals, including degree conferring programs at the Masters level (e.g. MS in Clinical and Translational Science, Health Informatics, etc). The development and submission of an individual NRSA or other career development application will be a major goal and training experience during the T32. The progress of trainees will be closely monitored and feedback from trainees on mentoring and the research program reviewed annually. Additional oversite and guidance will be provided by Internal and External Advisory Committees. The success of this program will be evaluated based on the research and academic success of its trainees. This program is designed to provide outstanding training in research related to diabetes in a vibrant, diverse and scientifically responsible environment at a major research institution in Chicago.