PROJECT SUMMARY The Southwest Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring (STEAM) network leverages partnerships at the University of New Mexico (UNM), New Mexico State University (NMSU), Northern Arizona University (NAU), and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) to strengthen the career pipeline for pre- and post-doctoral trainees and Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) engaged in cancer and cancer health disparities (CHD) research. As Hispanic and Minority Serving Institutions, each of these institutions is poised to make much- needed improvements in diversifying the CHD workforce in the Southwest region in the coming years. The STEAM network affords many reciprocal benefits to the partners based on unique resources and training opportunities at each of the partner institutions. Training Champions (TCs) representative of the minoritized communities in the Southwest and who have training and expertise in cancer research will serve as role models and near-peer mentors at each institution. TCs will have central roles in helping trainees to identify paths to achieve their training and career goals. TCs will contribute to cancer research and skill building for underrepresented minority pre- and post-doctoral students, as well as provide vital navigation support to ESIs pursuing careers in cancer and CHD research. TCs will: 1) provide scholars with access to a comprehensive array of resources and technical and professional career skill building tools to promote professional development and attainment of educational and career goals; 2) facilitate scientific community engagement by linking trainees in a diverse, multi-site and interdisciplinary network; 3) offer culturally responsive cancer and cancer health disparities focused curricula; 4) aid in identifying mentoring opportunities; 5) assure inter-programmatic connectivity. Southwestern populations across New Mexico and Arizona experience high rates of poverty, health disparities, insufficient attainment of higher education, and geographic diversity that limits access to scientific education and professional development opportunities. Formal connections of STEAM founding institutions will ensure that trainees have greater access to the research education and training expertise of each institution to meet the following objectives: 1) disseminate National Cancer Institute and Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities priorities, and professional development offerings across an established and growing network; 2) facilitate continued development of talent from the region's unique populations and those underrepresented in cancer research through the provision of targeted cancer curricula and research skills training; 3) ensure persistence and successful transitions beyond pre-/post-doctoral training through targeted mentoring and programmatic offerings for early stage investigators that prepare them to assume productive cancer research or health careers.