2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

About This Grant

In this R13 application we request support for the 4th Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on “Neurobiology of Drug Addiction,” taking place in May 2026 in Castelldefels, Spain. The objectives of this GRC are to foster open discussion of novel research developments, build new collaborations, and propel the next generation of both scientific advances in addiction research and addiction neuroscience researchers. To achieve these objectives, we will pursue the following four specific aims at the meeting: 1) To create an international forum that will promote deeper understanding of the neurobiology of addiction, based on groundbreaking findings from basic science, clinical, and community focused research; 2) Introduce novel and emerging research techniques to facilitate understanding of drug addiction; 3) Promote interdisciplinary interactions amongst addiction researchers, stimulating the exchange of ideas and collaborations that will advance the field of addiction research; and 4) Foster the development of the next generation of addiction researchers by facilitating and encouraging the participation of students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career investigators. The conference focuses on presentations and discussions at the frontiers of addiction research. The scope of the lectures will be confined to basic and clinical studies involving addictive drugs (including alcohol) and the nervous system and will focus on mechanisms of compulsive drug use, relapse, and vulnerability to addiction. The meeting will also break down barriers to progress by uniting investigators with synergistic and complementary expertise in areas ranging from molecular mechanisms to translational clinical research, community focused research, and addiction theory. The conference will provide a forum to address the latest developments in addiction research in an open and highly interactive GRC format, which includes formal talks interspersed with ample discussion time, poster sessions, and informal discussion periods that cultivate communication and collaborations. This conference setup differs from that of other meetings in the field and will provide a unique opportunity for close interactions among investigators at all stages of their careers and among investigators with different research approaches and cultural perspectives. Concerted efforts to support participation of students, postdoctoral fellows, early-stage investigators, and rigorous scientists from across a range of backgrounds and intellectual foundations in addiction research will nurture the growth of the next generation of addiction researchers. We will hold an accompanying Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) in 2026 immediately prior to the GRC, as we did in previous years. The GRS will provide a forum for students and postdoctoral fellows. In addition, a substantial number of GRC talks will be delivered by early career scientists. We envision that the Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRC will continue to significantly advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying drug addiction and stimulate the development of novel hypotheses, research directions, and therapeutic approaches.