Project Abstract In 2006, the National Cancer Institute began supporting transdisciplinary training in behavioral oncology at Indiana University, initially with an R25T mechanism which transitioned to a T32 in 2016. In response to PA- 20-142, we seek to continue this T32 training program. During the last 10 years, 83% of completed predoctoral trainees (10 of 12) accepted postdoctoral fellowships at prestigious research institutions, five trainees completed F31 applications of which 60% were funded, and the average number of publications per trainee was 9.4. Of the 13 predoctoral trainees, 23% were from racial minority populations. Ten postdoctoral trainees have completed their training and 78% accepted tenure-track academic positions; an additional trainee accepted a prestigious research position at the FDA focused on tobacco research. Two postdoctoral trainees have submitted K99/R00 applications of which one was funded and the second received a score of 40. The trainee who received this score accepted a tenure-track position and will submit a K23 based on the K99/R00. A total of 33% of postdoctoral trainees have been from racial minority populations. The average number of publications per postdoctoral trainee was 9.5. This T32 program resides in a strong, research-intensive environment, which includes the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC), a health science campus, and over 100 research institutes, laboratories, and specialized programs available to trainees. The program is led by a stellar and dedicated team of transdisciplinary mentors. The IUSCCC and other schools involved in this training program have committed over $1,100,000 for the next five years in support of this training program. The political, social, and economic turmoil evidenced in events of the last year underscore the many disparities that exist in our country, which directly impact significant inequities in cancer outcomes. We believe that the disparate cancer burden faced by our underserved populations can best be addressed by training fellows that reflect the diversity of our state and nation while prioritizing approaches to reducing disparities in cancer prevention and control research. Therefore, our aims are to: 1) recruit well-qualified applicants including those from diverse disciplines and underrepresented backgrounds; 2) provide a rigorous training program across the continuum of cancer prevention and control science with established and committed research mentors and an integrated focus on cancer equity; and 3) Prepare trainees with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities that support independent peer-reviewed research leading to reduced cancer morbidity and mortality across all populations. We retain successful strategies from the current training program while adding innovative opportunities that reflect our changing society. A strong mentoring team and training platform support the acquisition of defined outcome competencies. This competing continuation is co-led by Drs. Victoria Champion and Catherine Mosher, whose disciplinary backgrounds and research foci provide complementary skills.

Project Narrative Building on our history of training cancer prevention and control researchers, we are submitting a competing continuation of “Interdisciplinary Training in Cancer Prevention and Control”. Our competing continuation focuses on recruitment of diverse trainees who are supported by a training program integrating all aspects of cancer health disparities.