The NASA Astrobiology Institute is administered by a Director and staff located at Ames Research Center, known as "NAI Central." The concept of NAI Central was a critical element in the original vision for the Institute; it is what enables the NAI to function as an integrated organization. NAI Central integrates the distributed efforts of the teams, encourages cross-team collaboration, communicates Institute accomplishments, and represents the NAI to relevant NASA HQ offices and external review committees. In consultation with NASA Headquarters, the Director and staff also set long-term strategic directions for the Institute, for example by crafting the Cooperative Agreement Notices (CANs) that form the basis for team selections.

NAI Central manages funding opportunities including the Cooperative Agreement competitions, the Director's Discretionary Fund, the NAI Postdoctoral program, and a variety of meetings and conference sessions to stimulate communication and exchange of science results. The NAI Director's Seminar Series, organized by NAI Central, uses IT technology to conduct virtual seminars that highlight research discoveries. NAI General Meetings encourage science collaboration across the teams, while special planning sessions such as the 2007 NAI Strategic Impact Workshop are focused on setting priorities and envisioning strategic pathways for the Institute.

The NAI website serves as a primary tool in communicating the activities and accomplishments of the Institute to the public and its membership. NAI Central develops and operates this website, posting new material daily. An NAI Newsletter, with subscription open to NAI members and the public, is distributed every few weeks to keep interested parties up-to-date on the latest NAI events and news. NAI Central also collects information on "in press" science discoveries and coordinates press releases, linking NAI scientists and their home institutions with Public Information Offices at NASA Ames and NASA Headquarters.

Education and Public Outreach activities across the teams are coordinated by NAI Central, which also provides funding and leadership for special EPO activities and regularly reports on EPO to NASA HQ. NAI Central staff also generates products for educators and the public, including regular summaries of science highlights and answers to questions posted to "Ask an Astrobiologist."

A wide variety of administrative tasks are supported by NAI Central, ranging from approving budgets and dispersing funds to coordinating, editing, and posting of a comprehensive NAI Annual Report. Reflecting the substantial turnover in membership, NAI Central has prepared a "Handbook" to help new members understand the workings of this unique organization. NAI Central organizes and supports monthly meetings of the Executive Council using videoconferencing and web-based tools as well as occasional in-person meetings. The NAI Focus Groups, which represent an interface between team members, NASA missions, and the broader astrobiology community, are also organized and supported by the NAI Central staff.

NAI Central projects and accomplishments are reported annually. A list of current NAI Central staff and their roles is online.

See Team Research Plan