PROJECT SUMMARY – Administrative Core (A) The NIH has made substantial research investments in response to the large burden of musculoskeletal diseases in the United States. The Washington University Resource-Based Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine was formed to enhance NIH-funded, musculoskeletal research on our campus, with a focus on basic and pre-clinical research. We have achieved a positive impact through efficient delivery of essential and rigorous research services and a strong enrichment program. In the past 4 years the P30 Center Grant (AR074992) has been linked to 237 publications that have generated more than 3,000 citations. We now seek to maintain our local impact while we extend our programs to researchers at other institutions. The Administrative Core will lead the Center, under the direction of Matthew Silva (Director) and Deborah Veis, Roberto Civitelli and Roberta Faccio (Associate Directors). We bring extensive leadership experience along with a history of collaboration and commitment to musculoskeletal research at Washington University (WashU). We represent a Research Community of 97 investigators: 85 WashU faculty plus 12 Affiliate faculty from other institutions. We propose four Aims. Aim 1: Provide leadership of the Center through a transparent organizational structure. We will coordinate interactions with an Advisory Board, and collaborate with other WashU Centers and Programs to promote musculoskeletal research. We will lead outreach activities to introduce students to musculoskeletal science and promote diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Aim 2: Promote, manage and evaluate the Center and its three Resource Cores. We will provide oversight of the Research Cores to ensure that they are accessible, efficient and state-of-the-art. Through regular evaluation of utilization and performance, we will ensure that the Resource Cores have strong impact locally and nationally. Aim 3: Communicate with stakeholders and increase outreach and recruitment of Affiliate Members from nearby states who will strengthen our Center. We will advertise Center resources, events, news, and opportunities, to members of the Research Community and beyond, via multimedia communications. Aim 4: Administer the Enrichment Program. We will administer the Pilot & Feasibility Grant Program to support promising studies that build toward extramural grants by early-career investigators and those new to musculoskeletal research. We will organize weekly seminars, and an Annual Research Symposium to highlight the work of the Research Community and provide training and enrichment opportunities to our members. Through these Aims, we will accelerate, enrich, and enhance the effectiveness of basic and pre-clinical musculoskeletal research at WashU and at other institutions.