ABSTRACT Chronic kidney disease affects one in seven U.S. adults and is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic kidney disease has a substantial impact on U.S. diverse populations, including Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos and American Indians. Research on the epidemiology and molecular risk factors contributing to chronic kidney disease in diverse populations is much needed to guide public health prevention and interventions, and to develop therapeutic tools for clinicians to effectively treat the disease. This K26 application will support protected time for Nora Franceschini, MD MPH, to mentor junior investigators from underrepresented groups in science on molecular epidemiology research of chronic kidney disease in diverse populations. Dr. Franceschini is a nephrologist and an epidemiologist with a 20-year experience conducting multidisciplinary studies in chronic kidney disease and mentoring graduate students and early-stage investigators, including those from underrepresented groups. Dr. Franceschini has developed a strong National Institutes of Health supported research program on chronic kidney disease at the University of North Carolina focused on diverse populations. This research program offers multiple opportunities for trainees to learn rigorous research skills in state-of-art approaches for research in the epidemiology, molecular epidemiology and biomarkers of chronic kidney disease. Proposed activities and enhanced mentoring skills support the goals to increase high-quality mentoring for the next generation of scientists (including URGs) in chronic kidney disease research within her research program.