PROJECT ABSTRACT The K-INBRE Data Science Core (DSC) will provide cutting-edge collaborative support to investigators by addressing the need for computational infrastructure across the network, providing expertise in data analysis, management, and computing, and developing a statewide system that offers high-quality data science training to the next generation of scientists. The Director of the K-INBRE DSC, Dr. S. Brown, a KSU University Distinguished Professor in Biology, is an expert in genome sequencing, mapping, and informatics. Dr. B. Olson, Associate Professor of Biology at KSU and an expert in multi-omics, biochemistry, data science, and machine learning, joins Dr. Brown at KSU. Dr. D. Koestler, a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, directs the Satellite Core at KUMC. Dr. S. Macdonald, Professor of Molecular Biosciences, directs the Satellite Core Director at KU-L. Together, the DSC leverages its expertise to pool resources and provide a broad range of data science support to K-INBRE faculty and trainees. The multi-site leadership team offers opportunities to leverage institution-specific infrastructure beyond the capabilities of a single-site DSC and better utilize resources on K-INBRE network campuses. The DSC will expand an online, accelerated Master’s degree program in the data sciences called the “4+1 program”. This program allows high-achieving undergraduates at PUIs to obtain a data science Master’s degree from KUMC with just one additional year of coursework following the typical four years of their undergraduate degree. The DSC will create and administer a new collaborative DSC-PUI research award mechanism to support PUI investigators/trainees to generate data and resources/support via collaborations with the DSC. The DSC has assembled teams of data scientists, biostatisticians, and computer specialists to 1) work with biomedical researchers in designing experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results that lead to publications and grant applications; 2) collaborate with existing data science resources in Kansas to provide access to the cyberinfrastructure required to transfer, store, analyze, and interpret large data sets; 3) develop pipelines and databases that foster collaboration, and multidisciplinary science, 4) provide training opportunities in the form of workshops, seminars, and student research scholarships that will facilitate the practical application of these resources by K-INBRE trainees and faculty; and 5) develop course curricula to train the next generation of biomedical researchers in data science. Overall, the DSC has had excellent progress and is proactive in increasing data science scholars in Kansas.