PROJECT SUMMARY The Summer Training as Research Scholars (STaRS) at Boston University (BU) is an established program designed for outstanding undergraduate and early medical school students from traditionally underrepresented groups (URG) in the biomedical sciences, with a goal of supporting NIH’s mission to diversify the biomedical research workforce. STaRS prepares undergraduate scholars to pursue graduate education and careers in research, as well as increases the readiness of early career medical students to become physician scientists. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Graduate Medical Sciences are supportive and proud of the accomplishments of the STaRS Program and its scholars. Our successful outcomes in the past iteration of the grant include: (1) >80% of undergraduate scholars continuing into higher education, (2) >50% of medical scholars with continued involvement in research following completion of the STaRS Program, and (3) high mentor satisfaction with the Program. This renewal application builds on our previous successes to improve the program’s comprehensiveness and rigor, and expands its focus to building greater community and a sense of belonging among STaRS scholars. A few past scholars noted that negative experiences after STaRS discouraged their intentions to pursue biomedical research careers, so this renewal application focuses on innovative methods to strengthen their confidence, communities, and sense of belonging to increase their retention in the STEM pipeline. STaRS scholars will participate in authentic research projects mentored by faculty that work on cutting-edge research, with a particular focus on disease-oriented projects in heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders and diseases. These research experiences foster critical thinking skills, help scholars to see themselves as future scientists, provide a sense of belonging to the greater scientific community, and prepare them for entering a career in research. STaRS scholars will also participate in career development activities designed to prepare them for pursuing advanced degrees and careers in biomedical research, including networking with role models in different career paths within biomedical research. These activities build self-confidence and aim to increase scholars’ ability to self-assess and plan steps necessary to successfully apply to graduate degree programs and/or advance in their research careers. Additionally, STaRS will facilitate in expanding scholars’ professional and social network before, during, and after the Program, to reinforce community building and a sense of belonging, and thus mitigate attrition from the biomedical workforce. The Program will use these networks to monitor and assess outcomes of the program and demonstrate its effectiveness, quality, and long-term impact on the career outcomes of our trainees, as well as its contributions to the diversity of the biomedical workforce.