PROJECT SUMMARY The Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages (MGBP) meeting is a reputable national scientific conference held annually since 1940 that brings together investigators to present and discuss advances in the molecular biology of bacteria and their viruses. The MGBP Meeting is significant because it directly and positively impacts molecular research focused on the causative agents of human disease, commensals, symbionts, and phages while prioritizing the training of a diverse scientific workforce. A core objective of the MGBP Meeting is to provide an engaging and supportive forum for trainees and junior faculty to share their work in a collegial, inclusive environment. The 2023 attendees (516) hailed from 30 US states and >10 countries and included undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty members and professional scientists from the private sector. Several innovative aspects distinguish the MGBP meeting including: (1) the Diversity Showcase to highlight scientists from historically marginalized groups, (2) mentoring tables for discussion of career paths, inclusivity, and diversity, (3) the Sternberg Thesis Award for the most outstanding Ph.D. thesis, (4) trainee poster awards, and (5) community building events. The 2024 MGBP Meeting will be held from August 5-9 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an ASM-designated “Milestones in Microbiology Site”. Aligned with the tradition of past MGBP Meetings, ~70% of the oral presentations will be from postdoctoral scholars and graduate students, chosen from submitted abstracts based on scientific merit and diversity of their backgrounds. The remaining 30% of the presentations will be from faculty, including the keynote and session chairs, and junior faculty chosen from the submitted abstracts. Among the 9 invited talks for the 2024 meeting, 5 are female and 3 are scientists from historically marginalized people in STEM; 55% are Assistant or Associate Professors. The keynote speaker for the 2024 meeting will be Dr. George O’Toole, a long-standing member of the MGBP Community who is an active advocate for promoting equity in science. Dr. O’Toole will present his pioneering research on biofilms produced by the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas. To promote diversity and inclusion, we propose to select 13 meritorious trainees from the submitted abstracts for registration waivers and provide childcare/ family care funding grants for trainees and faculty. Together, the rigor and inclusivity of the scientific program, the focus on increasing diversity and inclusion of trainees, and the opportunities for collegial interactions will positively impact the broad field of molecular biology of bacteria and their viruses.