Our administrative expertise is realized through a centralized, nimble staff. This administrative core possesses deep institutional knowledge of both UCLA and the DGC, as well as a decade-long track record facilitating complex discovery research and service implementations within one of the largest public university systems in the country. 

Consequently, we benefit from unmatched operational agility and strategic coordination across UCLA departments, institutions, and funding structures.

What’s involved

Effectively operating a unique research initiative such as the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge requires a team with a unique skillset, including fluency in institutional systems, deep relationships across departments, communication and advocacy skills, financial acumen and central project coordination for scaling activities up and down, and close understanding of federal, state, industry and philanthropic priorities for research funding. This unique toolbox ensures that every administrative action bolsters our capacity to work toward its discovery and dissemination objectives. 

Below, a more comprehensive list of specialized administrative skills:

Managing collaborative relationships 

• Comprehensive understanding of research and initiative goals and how their capabilities facilitate and advance these objectives
• Fluency in University of California and UCLA systems for effective navigation of routine and de novo policy, procedure, and operational issues
  • Established, collaborative relationships with administrative and academic departments, including research administration, technology transfer, licensing, industry-sponsored research, development, academic planning and budget, legal affairs, procurement, IT, UCLA Health IT, web development and various academic departments and schools.
• Strong advocacy skills with internal and external stakeholders, and aptitude for discerning what compromises, if any, are required of a process or approach

Planning, launching & managing large-scale initiatives

• Experience managing multiple funds with distinct purposes and restrictions, ensuring strategic use of the most restrictive funds
• Familiarity with various research funders (e.g., federal and state funders, foundations, philanthropists, industry) with an appreciation for and responsiveness to applicable priorities
• Centralized end-to-end proposal coordination from project conception, proposal development, grant writing, budgeting, to contracting and implementation[MP1] 
  • Acumen for generating accurate estimates of cost of research and projects, leveraging familiarity with research and DGC operations
  • Contracting expertise 
  • Efficient onboarding mechanisms customized to meet needs of specific research studies