PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – ADMINISTRATIVE CORE A The Administrative Core (Admin Core, Core A) provides the scientific and administrative leadership and organizational structure to ensure the activities of the CFAR add value to the entire breadth of the CFAR Consortium (UNC and RTI) membership. Core A will accomplish this through six overarching aims: providing leadership to guide and support the CFAR; coordinating oversight of the CFAR; developing the next generation of HIV researchers; addressing under-developed research areas through the Scientific Working Groups and Research Interest Groups; conducting outreach activities through the Office of Community Engagement (OCE) and establishing processes and procedures for the CFAR. To achieve these aims Core A provides the following essential services that would not otherwise have happened without the Core: i) Communicating with CFAR membership through a quarterly e-newsletter and a bimonthly e-bulletin. ii) Ensuring scientific discourse and dissemination through a weekly cosponsored Infectious Disease Conference. iii) Enhancing coordination and optimization of the CFAR through holding the monthly core directors meeting. iv) Enabling topical and innovative strategic planning by holding an annual External Advisory Board, conducting a biennial user survey and periodic strategic planning retreats. v) Fostering community engagement, outreach and collaboration through the OCE. vi) Augmenting CFAR resources and research capacity by working with consortium partners, UNC Centers, departments and divisions to obtain co-funding commitments for CFAR Developmental Awards and equipment. vii) Reporting to NIH; conducting fiscal oversight, establishing budgets as well as reallocating resources; and for evaluating each of the Cores to determine their effectiveness in meeting the needs of the membership. viii) Promoting faculty hiring through targeted funds in support of new faculty ix) Establishing policies and procedures across the entire CFAR. The work of the Core will be guided by consultation with the Core Directors, surveys of the CFAR membership, an Internal Advisory Board, an External Advisory Board, and through discussions at CFAR retreats.