PROJECT SUMMARY The Administrative Core will support the overall goals of the Fungal Colonization Resistance (FunCoRe) Program Project entitled “Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating fungal colonization and disease in the mammalian intestinal niche” that consists of the following three Projects, (Project 1; PI, Bennett) Candida Determinants of GI Tract Colonization; (Project 2; PI, Hohl) Immune Regulation of Candida GI Tract Colonization; and (Project 3; PI, Koh) Metabolic Regulation of Candida GI Tract Colonization, and two Scientific Cores, Mathematical Modeling Core (MM Core; PI, Xavier) and Gnotobiotic Core (GF Core; PI, Hooper). The purpose of the Administrative Core is to facilitate research efforts and synergy between the research projects and cores and to promote synergy through scientific and administrative interactions between program investigators, scientific advisors, administrative personnel, and NIAID/NIH representatives. The Administrative Core will be responsible for planning the external scientific advisory board meetings, as well as meetings between program scientists at four institutions. Additionally, the Administrative Core will organize an annual scientific symposium, which requires coordinating travel for scientific advisors, visiting scientists, and program investigators. Importantly, the Administrative Core will implement a summer undergraduate laboratory internship program to increase training opportunities in the field of medical mycology and infectious disease research. A major goal of the Administrative Core is to ensure rapid dissemination of data within the program and to the scientific community. The Administrative Core will assist project and core leaders in the preparation of progress reports, financial reports, and manuscripts for publication. While publication in peer-reviewed journals will be the primary method of disseminating our findings, the Administrative Core will establish a robust web presence to enable outreach to the public and to the scientific community. The Administrative Core will also facilitate resource sharing, including assistance in the execution of material transfer agreements. Thus, the Administrative Core is an essential organizational structure that will allow the program directors, the Core and Project leaders, as well as all personnel of the research projects and cores to focus on scientific progress.