# Administrative Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS · 2024 · $619,271

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – CORE A
 Phase 1 of COBRE support established the Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research (CMDR) at the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The scientific theme of the CMDR is that identification of
molecular contributors to musculoskeletal dysfunction and disease will guide development of effective therapies.
The Center achieved key milestones during Phase 1, including mentoring and support of junior investigators to
the point of achieving independence, as defined by obtaining R01-level funding. These efforts, combined with
recruitment of established investigators, have significantly expanded the number of successful musculoskeletal
investigators in our Center. The three CMDR research cores established during Phase 1 also contributed to the
success of our junior investigators and other center members and significantly strengthened the biomedical
research infrastructure of our institution. An essential component of the effective operation of the CMDR was
establishment of the Administrative Core (Core A), which manages the infrastructure, oversight, and day-to-day
functioning of the Center. During Phase 2, the Administrative Core will continue to oversee all organizational and
budgetary aspects of the CMDR, supported by internal and external advisory committees (Aim 1). In addition,
the core will support CMDR growth via mentoring and a structured faculty development plan that will support
Project Leaders to point of R01-level funding (Aim 2). The Administrative Core will also recruit and promote the
development of new investigators via a Pilot Project Program, targeted recruitment of new investigators, and
evaluation of Center progress by the advisory committees (Aim 3). These goals will be accomplished under the
leadership of the Center Director and Associate Director who, with the support of experienced mentors and
advisory committees, will enable Project Leaders focused on musculoskeletal research to compete effectively
for R01-level funding. The Administrative Core will also oversee the operation of four Research Cores providing
state-of-the-art services to create new genetic models (Core B), perform specialized skeletal histology and bank
human bone tissue (Core C), provide bone imaging and quantification (Core D), and perform bioinformatic
analyses of large molecular datasets (Core E). The overall success of this strategy will be gauged by achieving
the following milestones within the five years of Phase 2 support: 1) three or more Project Leaders will obtain
R01-level research grant support; 2) three or more new Project Leaders will be selected and join the Center; 3)
Project Leaders and other Center members will publish between 25 and 50 peer-reviewed publications; and 4)
graduated Project Leaders and other members of the Center will develop productive collaborations and submit
a center-level grant application, such as a P01 or P30.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10814742
- **Project number:** 5P20GM125503-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS
- **Principal Investigator:** CHARLES A O'BRIEN
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $619,271
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-02-16 → 2028-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10814742

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10814742, Administrative Core (5P20GM125503-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10814742. Licensed CC0.

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