This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of an advanced scanning probe microscope (SPM) that enables co-localized nano-spectroscopic imaging capabilities integrating Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-Raman, Tip-Enhanced Raman (TERS), and Tip-Enhanced Photoluminescence (TEPL). Such capabilities were not previously available in the Southeastern region. Integrating this advanced SPM into the Core Analytical Facility of the Alabama Materials Institute (AMI) at the University of Alabama will establish the region's first major shared-user facility with high-resolution SPM/Raman/PL analytical capabilities. The system is a major enhancement and complement to the materials facilities, enabling new multi-investigator, multidisciplinary, and multi-campus collaborative research across institutions in the Southeast, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and more remote institutions. The new instrument also enhanced the teaching and training of undergraduate and graduate students in advanced materials characterization through a specially developed course. Additionally, data produced by the instrument is utilized in a Machine Learning course. The instrument’s capabilities will be highlighted in annual SPM/TERS/TEPL User Workshops and will support outreach efforts to K-12 students at local high schools. This project is jointly funded by the Division of Materials Research (DMR) and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR