 Effective community engagement in T3, T4 research is widespread, however, similar stakeholder involvement is missing in T1, T2 research. As part of an effort to embed community stakeholders in T1, T2 research, an academic community partnered team conducted discussion groups with researchers to assess perspectives on, 1, various challenges to including community stakeholders in basic science, 2, skills training required for stakeholders and researchers, 3, potential benefits of these activities. Engaging community in basic science research was perceived as challenging but with exciting potential to incorporate real-life community health priorities into basic research, resulting in a new full-spectrum translational research model. This article was authored by Sheba George, Stephanie DeVassa, Keith Norris, and others.