Building on our success over the last five decades, our plans to train the next generation of health services researchers builds on the recognition that science and context must continually evolve so that new researchers are prepared to provide the evidence needed to inform future decisions of organizations, practitioners, policy makers, communities, and patients to result in better health. The Johns Hopkins pre-doctoral AHRQ NRSA training program aims to prepare PhD-level health services researchers in three intersecting updated high priority areas: 1) Understanding how the Financing and Organization of Healthcare Services Affect Efficiency, Quality, and Equity of Care addresses how our healthcare system’s public and private financing mechanisms and organizational structure affect health; 2) Advancing Patient Safety, Quality and Patient-Centered Outcomes addresses traditional and evolving areas with the rise in person-centered care, value based purchasing, health information technology and emerging data sources, and the importance of diagnostic excellence; and 3) Promoting Health Equity for Historically Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations is designed to improve our focus on populations underserved by lack of access to quality health and social services and vulnerable groups with complex care needs that often lead to poorer quality of care and outcomes. Our pre-doctoral training builds on a common core of course work emphasizing rigorous skills including study design, statistical analysis, measurement, data/health information technology use, evaluation, and policy analysis. We base our training on a detailed set of core competencies and learning objectives developed in accordance with the 2005 AHRQ sponsored national “HSR core competencies” conference hosted by our Department and updated in 2012 and 2018. To address transformational factors and emerging problems in the U.S. health care system, we will increase our emphasis on changing financing and systems, health information technology, and promoting health equity. Trainees will gain exposure and research experience through coursework, seminars, individual involvement in faculty research, and practica. AHRQ will support three years of training for 3-4 new pre-doctoral students per year. Our program offers personalized small group and one-on-one support and guidance by experienced mentors to ensure a coordinated, successful training program experience for each trainee. Our training program is well integrated with Department, School and University active research programs and benefits from a large and diverse faculty with great breadth and depth in our priority areas and the extensive opportunities in research and policy in the Washington, DC area.