ABSTRACT The proposed renewal application seeks a second five years of funding to support the Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) Summit (5R13AG066389), which brings together students and principal investigators from the successful NIA-funded MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) through Undergraduate Education (R25) programs (PAR-12-016, PAR-17-290, and PAR-20-317). ADAR programs in MSTEM and aging were launched in 2012 with the overarching goal “to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.” This program is part of NIA’s coordinated effort to a) fill a gap in the pipeline transitioning from undergraduate to graduate education in aging as it relates to medicine and STEM and b) fulfill the objectives of the NIA Health Disparities Strategic Plan. The motivation to hold annual meetings for students participating in the ADAR program is based on extensive research demonstrating the importance of the following in retaining historically underrepresented students in science: a) taking ownership of their research by presenting findings in a safe, non-threatening, and supportive environment; b) creating a supportive community where students have a sense of belonging and are supported in their identify as scientists, c) networking where students are empowered to view themselves as capable learners through the interpersonal validation they receive from URM senior faculty and peers; d) seeing role models of established and peer adjacent URM scholars sharing their path to becoming research scientists; and e) participating in professional development activities. The annual ADAR Summit meets each of these criteria. The ADAR Summit also enables students to engage in the broader scientific community, as the Summit is held immediately before the annual meeting of the Gerontology Society of America (GSA). Partial support from the GSA has enabled ADAR students to participate in the Presidential Symposium Poster Sessions, attend presentations relevant to their field, and visit the Exhibition Hall, where many graduate/professional schools have booths where students can engage with program representatives. The Summit also supports PIs to meet annually. The ultimate goal of the ADAR Summit conference series is to help solidify the identity of ADAR undergraduate students as scientists in MSTEM and aging. The ADAR Summit is an important strategy for the retention of diverse scholars in budding research careers. Ultimately, the goal is to have a research community of scientists that is representative of the overall United States population to more accurately address health issues of the 21st century and beyond.