Administrative Core

ADMINISTRATIVE CORE Project Summary / Abstract The University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) seeks to establish a Nutrition Obesity Research Centers Research Resource Center (NORC-RRC). Within the NORC-RRC, the Administrative Core will lead, support, and assist broad areas of the NORC program that include: a) Provide administrative support to the NORC Consortium; b) Assist in bolstering areas of thematic importance supporting the Opportunity Program; c) Support early-to-mid career investigators to lead regional, national, and international efforts related to nutrition and obesity through the Pilot and Feasibility Program; d) Develop and implement a dynamic and contemporary Enrichment Program to assist training and mentoring the next generation of nutrition and obesity researchers. Support for these broad areas will be accomplished through achieving the following specific aims: a) Provide overall fiscal management for the NORC-RRC; b) facilitate communications between the NORC-RRC, other entities at KUMC, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other appropriate entities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH); c) assist with timely and complete reporting to the NIDDK and other appropriate NIH entities; d) Coordinate representation of the NORC-RRC within the NORC program consortium; e) Provide administrative support to the NORC program for the annual NORC meeting, meetings for the NORC Steering Committee, and meetings for other NORC committees and working groups; f) Establish and curate a NORC Program website and central repository of research resources; g) Provide leadership and administrative support for a highly successful Pilot and Feasibility Program; h) Provide leadership and administrative support to implement a vibrant Enrichment Program; i) Provide administrative support and logistical for the NORC-RRC advisory committees. We propose a structure of investigators and staff and advisory committees to support these efforts. We also describe the plan for a vibrant Enrichment Program, which includes an innovative “NORC Scholars Program” to engage and train the next generation of the nutrition and obesity research workforce. Succession plans for NORC-RRC leadership and milestones for achieving NORC-RRC goals are also provided.