PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The long term goal of the training program is to equip our predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows with the knowledge base and the research skills to compete successfully in the world of substance use disorder (SUD) research. For the past 29 years, the Drug Abuse Training Program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has trained predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars to be cognizant of multiple preclinical and clinical dimensions of the SUD problem. The objectives of the training program are (1) to integrate a diverse group of trainees into various funded addiction-related research programs with appropriate mentors, (2) to provide a strong foundation in research design, analytic techniques, and data presentation appropriate for SUD research, (3) to expose trainees to appropriate role models, (4) to expose students to issues related to scientific ethics, rigor, and reproducibility, (5) to teach trainees communication skills, (6) to teach trainees how to prepare a research grant application and transition to individual fellowships, (7) to help each fellow gain an appreciation of both clinical and basic science research, and (8) to assist trainees in their professional development. There has been tremendous growth and development of neuroscience faculty who conduct preclinical and clinical SUD research in NIH-funded centers at MUSC within the past decade. Concomitant with this growth has been a substantial increase in training program applicants who are eager to learn from this highly collaborative faculty. Thus, support to continue this training program at the level of 8 postdoctoral and 4 predoctoral trainees per year for 5 years is requested. There are now 5 major preclinical and clinical research opportunities: (1) neurobiology and treatment of drug relapse; (2) sex and gender-related research in SUDs; (3) interaction of stress and SUDs; (4) neurobiology and treatment of tobacco and cannabis use disorders; and (5) neuroimaging functional networks in SUDs. Since the main sites of research training arein very close proximity to one another, there is coordination of educational (courses, seminars, journal clubs) and research (preclinical and clinical) opportunities and activities. Coupled to the environment is a comprehensive training package incorporating didactic material, clinical experiences, and research experiences that provides an ideal training opportunity that is evaluated on an annual basis. Recruitment and selection of trainees is accomplished by the Program Directors and Internal Steering Committee members. Augmented recruitment and retention of under-represented individuals is accomplished in partnership with the College of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Office at MUSC. Eligible preceptors (mentors) are those with actively funded substance abuse-related research projects and matching of trainees with mentors is by mutual consent. An External Advisory Committee is consulted annually for evaluation and recommendations. The NIDA training program at MUSC has been very successful in placing our trainees in highly-productive postdoctoral and faculty-level positions through which they continue to contribute to SUD research.

PROJECT NARRATIVE The effectiveness of treating substance use disorders is based on our understanding of drug addiction and the currently available intervention approaches. The proposed training program addresses this need by providing young basic and clinical scientists with the knowledge base and the research skills to investigate the neurobiology of substance use disorders and develop therapeutic strategies to treat addiction.