This four-part report describes a federally funded program at the University of Alabama which provided postgraduate personal and professional development activities to women and minority group scholars. The goals of Project Growth are described: (1) to provide opportunities for advanced study and research of significant educational problems; (2) to demonstrate institutional policies and practices that strengthen involvement, professional growth, and opportunity for advancement of minority persons and women who are involved in educational research; and (3) to increase and disseminate knowledge on methods of achieving the foregoing purposes. Part 1 gives background information on the inception of the project, its growth, and its position within the university. Part 2 describes accomplishments of the project, recruitment and selection procedures, and project activities. A list of the writings of participants is included. Part 3 consists of evaluative and descriptive comments by individual participants in the first year of Project Growth. In part 4, the progress of Project Growth is summarized, and plans for the future are outlined. Appendices provide a favorable report on the project by an external evaluator, a sample information brochure, and agendas for 12 project workshops. (FG)