PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal seeks funding for 25 early career scientists to attend the FASEB Protein Folding in the Cell meeting in Southbridge, MA July 7-11, 2024. This conference focuses on the latest developments regarding how the native conformations of cellular and secreted proteins are achieved and maintained, and what happens in the cell and in multicellular organisms when aberrant protein conformations arise, such as in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias of aging. The meeting’s focus is on the basic science defining protein homeostasis, enabled by ~2500 genes encoding the proteostasis network, comprising molecular chaperones and co- chaperones that make folding versus degradation decisions. A decline in proteostasis capacity is especially prominent during aging-associated disease settings, particularly age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we will dedicate at least 40% of the talks to this topic, paying particular focus on recent advances in therapeutic strategies. Studies in experimental models have revealed that small molecule proteostasis regulators may be useful for ameliorating some of these neurodegenerative diseases. Special emphasis for the transmission of information will be placed both on the formal presentations as well as on informal interactions through discussion sessions, which will catalyze the generation of new hypotheses and the initiation of collaborations. An important goal of the meeting is to enable early career scientists (ECSs) and underrepresented minority to speak in the main oral presentation venue. For this reason, a 4-member diversity and inclusion training committee (DITC) was created, who will organize a ½ day pre-meeting entitled “Future Thought Leaders in Cellular Proteostasis, Aging and Neurodegeneration”. Fifteen underrepresented graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be invited to speak at this premeeting, which will be attended by a significant proportion of main meeting speakers. Three of the best pre-meeting talks will be awarded ECS speaking slots in the main meeting. In addition, we have already confirmed an additional seven Assistant Professors (six female and/or URM) to speak at the main venue. Moreover, we outline a strategy to ultimately achieve a 50:50 ratio in female and male speakers, including at least 20% URM and 40% early career scientists. Funding is sought to provide registration and travel awards for the 15 pre-meeting speakers, the four members of the DITC and 6 ECSs speaking at the meeting. At least 30 poster presenters will be selected to showcase their work on the main stage in form of 2-min lightning talks. Thus over 65% of attendees will have the opportunity to present their research in front of the entire audience. Round table discussions and panel sessions over lunch will enable early career scientists to discuss topics like careers, inclusion of underrepresented scientists, effective grant writing, etc. with experts in the field.