Project ACE (Advancing Career Excellence) proposes to create a pipeline of academically and socially prepared students from regional high schools in Far West Texas and Southern New Mexico to pursue undergraduate majors and careers in biomedical science research. Grounded in the asset bundles framework and drawing on the University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) BUILDing SCHOLARS initiative, Project ACE is unique because it exposes students to interdisciplinary biomedical research at the high school level; incorporates teachers into professional research experiences; and engages students’ families in their academic and research skills growth. The proposal seeks to accomplish its goal of strengthening the biomedical science workforce by creating a pipeline of highly prepared high school students through three key pillars: 1. Enhancing Educator Expertise: Improving high school teachers’ research skills and knowledge of biomedical career pathways through participation in mentored summer research experiences. 2. Fostering Academic Excellence: Cultivating a culture of high achievement among students through rigorous classroom instruction using a research-infused curriculum, complemented by tutoring, SAT/ACT preparation, and résumé writing. 3. Developing a Research Culture: Engaging students in active research through yearly symposia and a multi-tiered mentoring approach involving near-peer mentors, graduate students, and UTEP faculty. By engaging in research at the high school level, we expect to see increased science identity and research self-efficacy in participating students, as well as improved technical skills and interest in biomedical careers. By fostering a culture of high academic achievement, we expect that participating students will become more competitive applicants for merit-based scholarships and enter the workforce with superior preparation. This proposal is significant because it leverages existing NIH-funded programs at UTEP to expand the pool of qualified professionals entering the biomedical research field.