The catalyst for this expansion was the establishment in 2016 of the Brain Health Institute, with the explicit goal to develop neuroscience at Rutgers into a highly translational research enterprise. Indeed, motivational and affective neuroscience (which includes substance use disorders) is one of four signature areas of focus and development at Rutgers. By supporting and coordinating addiction neuroscience across all campuses, the Basic Science domain unites our dynamic and diverse community toward common goals including i) creating research programs focused on the biological underpinnings of substance use disorders, ii) translating these discoveries into treatments for these disorders using novel neuroscience tools, and iii) establishing a rich neuroscience resource in New Jersey to educate the public, clinicians, politicians, faculty and students.