PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Annual National Conference of the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) is the only multidisciplinary meeting for health professional educators and researchers who teach about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems. Founded in 1976, AMERSA’s mission is to improve health and well-being through interdisciplinary leadership and advocacy in substance use education, research, clinical care, and policy. In its 45th year, AMERSA remains at the forefront of professional development through its activities that (1) improve substance use education and clinical practice by promoting multidisciplinary leadership, mentorship and collaboration; (2) generate and disseminate state-of-the-art science about substance use research, education and policy; (3) provide an active forum and community for discussion and debate of health policy topics related to substance use; (4) promote cultural competence and inclusion among healthcare professionals in their work with persons from underserved and high-risk populations affected by substance use problems; and (5) build a national network of experts, who will lead health professional education and research across the substance use spectrum and advise local, national, and international organizations on evidence-based substance use policy. Bringing together researchers and health professions educators to learn about scientific advances and educational innovations, the AMERSA Annual National Conference fosters collaboration within and among diverse disciplines, backgrounds and professional environments that encourages peer mentoring and career development. The scientific meeting attracts national and international attendees and provides opportunities for leadership, collaboration, mentorship, and networking. Cutting-edge plenaries, peer-reviewed abstract presentations, and skills-based workshops are carefully curated each year to promote the ongoing development of a critical pipeline of addiction science professionals who teach, study, advocate, and practice in the field of substance use and addiction. Through these activities, AMERSA has become a professional home for a thriving academic community of science-driven clinicians, educators, and researchers working together to prevent and treat substance use disorders. The proposed 5-year project will strengthen the high quality and diversity of the national meetings, to be held 2022-2026, by (1) providing speaker fees and travel to attract plenary speakers who are preeminent in the areas of substance use research and education, and (2) providing conference travel award funding and continuing education credits to increase the participation and career development of persons from nationally underrepresented groups and disciplines.