ACORN: Administrative and Planning Core

The Alcohol Center Of Research Nebraska (ACORN) Administration and Planning Core (APC), described here, provides planning, oversight, leadership, and management, as well as centralized services to all Cores, projects, programs, and investigators in the Center. APC engages the External Advisory Committee in the strategic planning of the Center's research and outreach. APC conducts ACORN’s governance by leading the Center's public relations, communication with stakeholders, scientific meetings, and engagement of the alcohol research community. APC provides the administrative structure for day-to-day management, planning, budgeting, IRB compliance, and other essential functions. Evaluation of the individual Cores, Research Projects, Pilot Projects, and the Center as a whole will be an essential function of the APC. APC will also provide administrative support for these programs. APC coordinates the administrative functions and contracts with any outside institutions, partners, and consultants participating in Center projects. APC manages the Center's website, social media presence, media releases, information requests from the media and the public, and representation of the Center in meetings and public events. The Specific Aims of the APC are to: 1) Provide the Center Leadership with a mechanism for planning, coordinating, and evaluating research; 2) Engage the External Advisory Committee in the planning and governance of the Center; 3) Oversee fiscal and resource management, maintain records, and compile Center reports; 4) Facilitate seminars, meetings, workshops, advisory committee meetings and conferences; and 5) Provide centralized services to investigators regarding information technology, research design, biostatistics, recruiting subjects, surveillance, outreach, and evaluation.