Project Summary/Abstract Duke’s KURe program provides structured mentoring, customized research training, and individualized career development for postdoctoral fellows and early career faculty with a doctoral level degree, who are committed to an independent research career in benign urology. Over the past nine years, we have supported 13 KURe Scholars including three from groups underrepresented in medicine. When transitioning to independence, 57% of our scholars obtained individual K awards (K01, K08, K23), and 100% received major foundation or federal funding. We request competitive renewal of the Program, which has four major goals: 1) Foster diversity by recruiting Scholars from diverse backgrounds and by providing a supportive and inclusive environment; 2) Train the next generation of benign urology researchers by fostering multidisciplinary research; 3) Address gaps in scientific knowledge by strengthening inter- and cross-disciplinary collaborations within the broader benign urology research community through active participation in Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (CAIRIBU); and 4) Prepare KURe Scholars to lead their own multidisciplinary research teams and become the mentors and leaders of tomorrow. At any one time, we support up to 4 KURe Scholars who are guided by 2 mentors from our robust group of KURe core mentors. The KURe mentors have significant expertise in 5 main areas of benign urology: 1) Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction 2) Urinary Tract Infection/Inflammation 3) Pediatric Urology 4) Stone Disease and 5) Reconstructive Urology/Regenerative Medicine and Neurourology. In addition, our mentors employ different approaches and can guide our Scholars using 1) Basic/Translational Research 2) Clinical Research 3) Health Services Research and 4) Systems Biology. Scholars are appointed for one year and can be renewed annually for up to 4 years. Scholars receive one-on-one Executive/Leadership Coaching. Their Individual Development Plans include intense hands-on research, structured mentoring, and courses/activities that increase 5 core competencies (Responsible Conduct of Research, Scientific Writing, Experimental Design/Methods, Data Management/Statistics, and Leadership). At completion of the program, Scholars are expected to have published in peer-reviewed journals and have obtained independent funding. Scholars’ progress is monitored by the PD/PI and the Advisory Committee (AC). Program improvements are made based on feedback from mentors and Scholars, recommendations by the AC, and results from an independent external mixed methods longitudinal evaluation. The annual Duke KURe Multidisciplinary Benign Urology Research Symposium attracts national attendees. Scholars present their research and connect with experts. Duke KURe is a successful, vibrant program with expert mentors, experienced leadership, and the institutional commitment to ensure that a diverse pool of well-trained rese...