NCI Cancer Centers support the research infrastructure and promote multidisciplinary research programs at the most outstanding academic and free-standing institutions throughout the nation. As a group, they are engaged in all aspects of cancer research, including basic, clinical, and prevention, control and population-based research. Of the 55 Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) awarded in FY 1996, 10 were to basic laboratory centers, 1 was to a consortium center, 18 were to clinical centers, and 26 were to comprehensive centers. In addition, 3 Cancer Center Planning Grants, initially funded in FY 1995, continued in FY 1996. The Cancer Center Planning Grants initiative was begun in FY 1992 and reissued in FY 1994 to increase geographical distribution of cancer centers in under-represented areas of the country.

The Cancer Centers Program has been active in developing and promoting initiatives designed to fulfill the broad mission of the NCI as well as to stimulate scientific areas of especially high priority. From 1992 through 1994 the NCI funded sixteen planning grants (P20s) to help institutions develop cancer centers in underserved geographic areas of the country. In 1994, the Program, in collaboration with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA), stimulated the development of multidisciplinary research programs in breast cancer, using the R21 exploratory grant mechanism. In 1995, in collaboration with the NIEHS, similar efforts were made to stimulate research in prostate cancer. In 1997, the Program invested $11 million in two areas: development of research programs in AIDS-related malignancies and support of innovative research projects in cancer genetics. It also supported supplements to help cancer centers develop their genetic counseling capabilities.

The Cancer Centers Program has collaborated over the last several years with the Office of Research on Minority Health at the level of the Director, NIH, to support special projects focusing on the problem of cancer in minority populations. The program supported networks and conferences for native Americans and provided additional support to several centers for pilot research projects on genetics of cancer among minority populations. The Program has also provided additional support to its minority consortium cancer center, which is made up of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Morehouse School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College.

In 1996, the Cancer Centers Program underwent a major evaluation by an external advisory group of scientific and administrative experts. The report of this Cancer Centers Review Group contained numerous recommendations for strengthening the Program in general and for modifying how the NCI recognizes NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. In response to this report, new guidelines are being formulated and commented upon by the biomedical community. These new guidelines are designed to involve less reporting and paperwork in the application process, provide greater flexibility to centers how funds are used to pursue new research opportunities, and focus the review of centers more on the quality of the science and the contributions of the center to scientific progress of importance to cancer. In addition, the report focused the comprehensive designation on the broad research capabilities of the center, encouraging the NCI to find a suitable approach for fostering outreach and education activities. These guidelines will be completed in FY 97.

Return to Extramural Programs