PROJECT SUMMARY The predoctoral NIDA Training Program in Neuroscience was founded at the University of Michigan (UM) in 1995. This Training Program is administered by a Director and Co-Director, and aims to recruit, develop and enhance student interest in research related to the neurobiology of substance abuse. To be eligible for support by the NIDA Training Program students must first gain admittance to an existing UM graduate program in the biological, biomedical and natural sciences, such as the interdepartmental Neuroscience Graduate Program, the Biopsychology Program, or the Department of Pharmacology Graduate Program. Students nominated for support by the NIDA Training Program in Neuroscience are selected on the basis of two criteria: 1) academic qualifications and references (i.e. academic excellence) and, 2) the relevance of their program of study and research interests to the NIDA mission. After selection for the NIDA Training Program in Neuroscience, students pursue a program of study in the neurosciences, including a required course on the neuropsychopharmacology of substance abuse and an accompanying seminar series involving the NIDA Training Program faculty. In addition, current and past trainees attend regular journal clubs, seminar series and networking events supported by this grant to foster a sense of community and maintain student interest in substance abuse research throughout their dissertation work. There are 14 core faculty members for the NIDA Training Program in Neuroscience, all of whom are currently funded by NIDA and conduct research related to the neurobiological basis of substance abuse. The core Training Program faculty members have changed since the prior funding cycle, with the removal of three faculty members who are phasing towards retirement, and two who have left the University of Michigan. Four new core faculty members have been added. In addition, 7 “Junior Faculty Affiliates” have been added; early Assistant Professors who will be seeking NIDA funding. All faculty members have prior mentoring experience, and there is a plan in place for more senior faculty to serve as co-mentors to enrich the mentoring experience for the trainees. Furthermore, the faculty affiliated with this Training Program are assisted by over 150 Neuroscience Graduate Program Faculty who are involved in many aspects of the training, as well as the Rackham Graduate School which offers a number of programs to enhance mentor-mentee relationships and provide a supportive and productive environment for trainees. Together, the long history of our Training Program, the Directorship, and the resources provided by the University of Michigan and affiliated programs puts us in an excellent position to accomplish the major goal of this training grant. That is, to provide the necessary infrastructure and support for trainees pursuing research interests related to the neurobiology of substance abuse as they work towards their doctoral degree in neuroscience or a related field.

PROJECT NARRATIVE Addiction is a major public health concern as it affects millions of individuals afflicted with the disorder, and has negative consequences for society at large. Great advances have been made in understanding the actions of drugs of abuse on the brain, but much remains to be learned. The purpose of this training grant is to foster interest in addiction among graduate students supported, such that these students will devote their research and eventually their careers to the study of the neurobiological bases of addiction and development of effective treatments.