The Center for Cell Signaling Research is committed to the career development of its investigators and to building unique research infrastructure and capabilities at UNE to enhance the University research enterprise. Central to these goals is an effective Administrative Core. The Administrative Core executes the mentorship and career development plans of its Project Leaders (Research Project Leaders and Pilot Project Leaders), sets benchmarks for success, monitors research progress, assesses the performance of the research core, and manages Center finances. The Core will be led by the Program Director, in close collaboration and with the guidance of the Advisory Committee, which includes 2 institutional leaders and 3 external scientific leaders in the field. The Advisory Committee provides general programmatic advice to the Program Director and timely feedback to the Research Project Leaders. The Advisory Committee also evaluates and recommends pilot project proposals and replacement Research Project Leaders for COBRE funding, ensures continued institutional support for the program and facilitates the removal of any institutional barriers that might impede the Center’s success. The Administrative Core will promote collaboration and Research Core synergies by coordinating its efforts with the UNE Phase 3 COBRE for pain research and other regional COBREs. The Administrative Core will carry out its functions by: 1) Coordinating and executing the mentorship plan for Research Project and Pilot Project Leaders. A mentorship team, with the assistance of a highly engaged Advisory Committee, ensures that Center investigators receive the necessary scientific and career development advice for attaining independent investigator status. Clear milestones are defined and progress is evaluated; 2) Administering a pilot project grant program. Annual solicitations for pilot project proposals will be made, and projects will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee that includes senior investigators and Research Project Leaders. The Advisory Committee will perform a final review and provide the Program Director with funding recommendations. Pilot project grant recipients will receive mentorship similar to Research Project Leaders, and will undergo an annual research performance review; 3) Leading recruitment efforts for new tenure-track faculty. Tenure- track faculty will be recruited with research programs that align with the Center’s focus; 4) Overseeing the fiscal management and evaluation of the Center to ensure that the center is on track to meeting its overall goals. The Administrative Core will conduct annual evaluations of the research core and Project Leaders. Action plans in response to these evaluations will be implemented to ensure that investigators remain on track for manuscript and grant submissions, and that the research core remains responsive to user needs. Continued education of the Program Director, e.g., attendance at national and regional IDeA sympos...