Administrative Core Main Page

Administrative services are provided to three main internal customer groups: principal investigators (PI’s) with studies in the GCRC, study subject participants, and the clinical research community at large, including students and new investigators.  The Administrative Services Core also supports GCRC program leadership including the needs of its external customer, the NIH National Center for Research Resources. 

Principal Investigators

For PI’s, the most noticeable activities of the GCRC are the studies, approved by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) which are supported by and usually conducted in the GCRC. The Admin Core staff assist PI’s and their staff in submitting proposals to SAC, lead the project review team (PRT) in evaluating resource requirements and developing internal study budgets. After SAC approval, the Admin Core coordinates the project initiation meeting with the PI, staff and appropriate GCRC core resources. Over the course of the study, admin staff purchase and maintain needed supplies and equipment, monitor resource usage, coordinate study continuations with the PI and IRB, and maintain essential administrative records for the study and the institution.

Study Subject Participants

Key to most clinical research studies are study participant volunteers, who become research subjects in study protocols. The Administrative Core answers questions about available studies and eligibility criteria, directs interested volunteers to study coordinators, makes appointments, receives visitors and process patient bills and subject payments. The Core also provides administrative support to the GCRC’s Research Subject Advocate, who monitors studies for ethical conduct, human subject protection and compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Clinical Research Community

Services to the greater research community fall into two areas: education and training, and communications and outreach. The Admin Core provides logistical support to the Principles of Clinical Research course, the Clinical Research Coordinators course, the GCFC Seminar Series, and the Mentored Fellowship in Patient-Oriented Research Program. It also publishes a newsletter highlighting investigators and their GCRC studies and maintains a website which provides information about GCRC activities and resources, a calendar of events, instructions for applying for support, and studies which are seeking volunteer participants.

Program Leadership and National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

The Administrative Core participates in all institutional processes of budgeting, expense management, personnel management and other aspects of Center operations. It assists GCRC Program Directors/Leaders in maintaining administrative and fiscal records as required in the GCRC program guidelines. As an NIH grantee, the GCRC has certain obligations to its funding agency, including grant management. Staff from the Administrative Services Core maintain and/or coordinate gathering information and produce the GCRC Progress Report/Renewal Application each January and the GCRC Annual Report and Financial Reporting Statement each June.