Distinguished Professors and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) members at FIU are preparing to launch a pilot program that seeks to identify promising faculty and propel them towards NIH funding through dedicated pilot funding and comprehensive mentoring. The project will award up to two $20,000 awards biannually to selected faculty members to conduct research on the health of populations with a specific focus on interventions to mitigate inequalities in health status and outcomes. Our aim is to empower both emerging researchers aspiring for NIH R01 funding and established FIU investigators looking to branch out into multi-disciplinary NIH funded projects. A unique aspect of this initiative is the committed mentorship for 2-3 years by senior faculty and distinguished professors, leveraging their extensive networks to facilitate connections with other experts. Stay tuned for more details on this transformative opportunity.