The Administrative Advisor (AA) is the key person in the development and management of a multistate research or an integrated research and extension activity. All western Administrative Advisors are appointed by the MRC with the approval of the WDA. We appreciate your willingness and commitment to serve as an Administrative Advisor to a Western Region multistate project (W- research project, WCC- coordinating committee or WERA – integrated education/extension/research activity). You serve a key role to ensure that the multistate research program meets the needs of stakeholders, requirements of the WAAESD and federal statutory requirements as outlined by the AREERA of 1998.

This virtual notebook is assembled to assist you in carrying out your duties as an administrative advisor. Should you think of additional information that would be helpful or may come across information that should be posted here, please email your regional system administrator.

Table of Contents

I.  History and philosophy of Multistate Research Program

• Introduction and History
• Multistate Research Fund Relevance, Excellence, and Accountability
• National Guidelines
• AREERA Legislation
• Overview of the Multistate Research Program

II.  Western Region Supplementary Guidelines

III.  MRC and the Regional Review Process

• MRC
• Regional Review Process
• Regional Chronology

IV.  Role of the Director’s Office

V.  Multistate Reporting Requirements

• SAES-422
• Preparing an Effective SAES-422 Annual Report
• Termination Report
• Writing an Impact Statement
• MRF Impact Statements
• Preparing National Impact Summaries

VI.  Role of the Administrative Advisor

• Eligibility and selection
• Checklist
• AA’s Challenges

VII.  Specific Duties of the AA

• General Responsibilities
• Meeting Authorization
• Annual report (SAES-422)
• Termination Report
• Project renewal
• Peer Review
• Adding Participants to a Multistate Project

VIII.   Using the NIMSS

• NEW!! NIMSS Basics Training: A 35 minute video that covers most of the functions required for Administrative Advisors and those functioning as or on behalf of an AES station director.
• NEW!! NIMSS Handbook

IX.      FAQs

X.        Other Useful Information

• Organization and Relationships
• Glossary of Terms for the Land-Grant System and Related Organizations
• Useful URLs
• Acronyms Used