PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORE SUMMARY Augusta University, Tulane University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have a strong well- recognized culture of KUH investigators who promote professional development. The Deep South KUH Premier Research and Inter-disciplinary Mentored Education (PRIME) Professional Development Core (PDC) will implement a strategy for the inter-institutional and inter-disciplinary basic, translational, and clinical KUH workforce with innovative programs. The overall goals of the PDC are to inspire and motivate the next generation of scientific leaders, and, to sustain leadership within the Deep South KUH community. The PDC provides an inclusive culture for all scholars and faculty underrepresented in medicine to succeed in an inter- disciplinary environment. Aim 1. Establish a multi-dimensional, inter-disciplinary professional development program of KUH trainees and early career investigators. The PDC will create a multidimensional mentorship model for the Deep South KUH community to expand resources that includes career coaches, near-peer activities and mentoring training at the KUH symposium, career development in team science and entrepreneurship, and preceptor training in promoting a DEI culture. These personalized programs include engaging coaches, role models, and mentors committed to participating in development of KUH trainees and early stage investigators. To facilitate engagement, we developed inspirational forums and summer career trajectory workshops to inspire and motivate KUH-themed career development that will sustain involvement in the KUH community. Aim 2. Cultivate an inter-institutional KUH research culture for KUH trainees by establishing an inter-disciplinary Scientific Mentoring And Research Training (iSMART) program. We will enrich professional development of trainees through the iSMART program that will enhance scientific writing and peer review effectiveness for KUH research. To sustain involvement in the KUH community, trainees will be engaged as near-peer mentors, facilitators, and study section members for the subsequent cohorts of trainees. Aim 3. Establish inter-disciplinary KUH scientific and mentoring development for early career researchers through protected time for research training and research support. We will ensure professional development of early stage investigators through the KUH Research Investigator Training (KUHR- IT) institute providing one-on-one guidance that will enhance extramural applications for career development awards and improve research methodology as well as establish the GAp year INternship (GAIN) program for early career investigators. Early career investigators will serve as mentors, facilitators, and study section members for the subsequent cohorts. The PDC provides innovative, immersive, and inter-disciplinary programs for professional development with the NC, AC, and TL1 training core. In doing so, the Deep South KUH PRIME will meet our missio...