PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: ADMINISTRATIVE CORE In this competing renewal application, we propose to continue support of the longstanding Meharry Medical College/Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center/Tennessee State Cancer Partnership (MVTCP) that promotes a balanced focus on basic, clinical and population science research to eliminate cancer disparities. The Administrative Core (AC), as a team from all three institutions, are jointly responsible for supporting all MVTCP components and investigators through overall management and coordination of resources, communication and engagement. Importantly, the AC fosters, manages and supports interactions among and within the partner institutions, components and investigators, internal and external advisory committees, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The administrative teams from the partner institutions interact and collaborate extensively to enhance productivity and support the needs of the MVTCP. The AC is comprised of the Principal Investigators (PIs) from all three institutions, Samuel Adunyah, PhD [Meharry Medical College (MMC), contact PI], Duane Smoot, MD (MMC, Co-PI), Tuya Pal, MD [Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), contact PI], Ann Richmond, PhD (VICC, Co-PI), Margaret Whalen, PhD [Tennessee State University (TSU), contact PI], and Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi, MD, PhD (TSU, Co-PI). An experienced administrative team from each institution provides day-to- day administrative oversight and supports the PIs and the Partnership. Through effective leadership, the AC team 1) provides vision and support as well as implements the overall direction of the Partnership; 2) facilitates new and ongoing review processes of Research projects funded through the Partnership; 3) ensures, promotes and actively coordinates integration and synergy across the Cores and Shared Resources to support the projects and grow additional disparities-focused efforts; 4) collaborates with institutional leadership to ensure appropriate levels of institutional support; and 5) coordinates and prepares required annual reports and any additional required reporting and data for the NCI, in close coordination with the Planning and Evaluation Core. The AC develops and coordinates activities in support of planning and evaluation, engages in faculty recruitment and mentoring, develops and executes workshops, seminars, and the Annual MVTCP Cancer Health Disparities Symposium. To ensure fulfillment of the goals of the MVTCP, the AC engages regularly with the Internal Advisory Committee (IAC), Program Steering Committee (PSC), NCI leadership, Partnership Cores, Shared Resources, and funded Research Projects. The AC is committed to providing necessary leadership and services to support efficient working relationships across and within the Partnership, with senior institutional leaders and other key personnel, as well as with the PSC and NCI. The AC team shares the belief that this Partnership is at a critical juncture in its maturation an...