The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) was awarded a $250,060 Project Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Trans-NIH Research Support program (CFDA 93.310) to support the development of pre-doctoral trainees in advancing sexual and gender minority (SGM) health equity research in the Deep South. The project, titled "ADVANCE SGM HEALTH FOR RESEARCH DIVERSITY," aims to recruit, retain, and develop researchers from underrepresented backgrounds to address health disparities facing SGM communities. Key activities include providing advanced training in SGM research, preparing trainees for academic research careers, engaging them in community-based participatory research projects, and expanding their professional networks. The award will support 15 trainees across three cohorts over a five-year period, with the goal of increasing the diversity of scholars addressing SGM health equity. The project will be evaluated using a mixed-methods approach to assess trainee outcomes, such as publications, grants, and the development of professional networks.