Dissemination Core Abstract The Vanderbilt AUD Research and Education Center (VAREC) Dissemination Core will utilize innovative approaches to engage the public to destigmatize discussion of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and increase understanding of the organ-based nature of this disorder. One approach will include a near-peer mentoring program with area and rural high school students. The Core will also engage the AUD research community in two respects. The core will organize summer research experiences in VAREC labs from undergraduates from populations under-represented in STEM. The core will also provide virtual and in-person short courses to the national AUD research community to increase facility with modern cutting-edge neuroscience tools to reduce barriers to utilizing these technologies to advance alcohol research.