PROJECT SUMMARY The Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) is the world’s leading society of professionals devoted to the goal of developing and using engineering and technology to advance human health and well-being. With thousands of attendees and niche parallel technical Program Tracks, the next three Annual Meetings will provide nearly 10,000 research and education presentations in podium or poster presentation format and multiple opportunities for education and networking. Beyond research and educational presentations, the Annual Meeting of the BMES will provide opportunities for strategic network building, career development and advancement, sharing ideas, recognizing and promoting talent, developing and promoting professional excellence and broadening the participation of underserved and underrepresented groups. Plenary speakers, special sessions, and industry affairs activities are designed to support an annual theme which is determined each year by the meeting cho-chairs. This project covers the 2023 BMES annual meeting running from October 11-14, 2023 at the Seattle Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. The theme of this “The convergence of three pillars that are essential to the success of our field: Science, Technology & Social Transformation.” BMES seeks funding from the NIH to support travel awards that will enhance diversity of participants at the Annual Meeting of the BMES. Specifically, NIBIB funding will be used to support the following objectives: ● 7 student groups attend the High School Poster Competition who would otherwise not be able to attend due to cost. ● Each student group will receive 1:1 funding matches for either one or two students and one Chaperone to register for the conference, attend a special awards event, and offset travel expenses. ● At least 90% of students receiving funding matches will be from an underrepresented group as defined by NIH.

PROJECT NARRATIVE The BMES Annual Meeting is the premier event for scientific sharing and dissemination amongst biomedical engineers in the academic, industry and educational sectors. Beyond research and educational presentations, the Annual Meeting of the BMES will provide opportunities for strategic network building, career development and advancement, sharing ideas, recognizing and promoting talent, developing and promoting professional excellence and broadening the participation of underserved and underrepresented groups. NIH funds will impact BMES by enhancing diversity of participants at the BMES Annual Meeting and support inclusion and promote success in continuing in the BME educational pathway and profession.