Administrative Core

Summary/Abstract (Administrative Core A) The goal of this U19 application is to understand how internal states influence decision behavior and brainwide neural activity, across multiple timescales, by bringing together experimental and theoretical researchers who are already part of an established collaboration, the International Brain Laboratory. To enable these diverse groups to work together smoothly and achieve our scientific goals, the IBL has developed proven, effective methods for collaboration across multiple institutions and time zones, which the U19 team will use to ensure successful completion of the scientific aims. The Administrative Core will coordinate all U19 program functions; provide rigorous fiscal oversight of research projects and cores; guide and facilitate interactions among project and core leaders, principal investigators, and research staff; and facilitate data sharing and collaboration with key stakeholders and the broader neuroscience community. In addition, we will provide administrative and fiscal support to enable projects and cores to make efficient use of U19 resources. The core will track the quality and productivity of IBL U19 team members, monitor and ensure timely processing of all financial transactions, manage the subawards to partner universities, and coordinate yearly progress reporting to NIH. This core will also arbitrate resource allocation and assist with conflict resolution if required. Finally, we will convene an External Scientific Advisory Board composed of experienced research scientists with proven leadership to oversee the U19 program’s infrastructure, scientific direction, and development of resources for the research community. Moreover, the Administrative Core will provide structure and guidance to ensure strong communication among core and project leaders and participants, thus ensuring integration of the cores and projects, and fostering a team-based approach to achieving the aims of the program. Using the collaboration’s existing structure, this integration will be achieved through regular general-assembly and working-group meetings, as well as organized activities to promote cross- disciplinary knowledge transfer and a strong sense of community among faculty, post-docs, students, and staff participating in this project. In these ways, the Administrative Core will ensure that the U19 project runs smoothly, efficiently, and cost-effectively to reach its research goals, and that the resulting research and tools are made freely available to the broadest possible community.