Centers Program (P30 Grants)
What are NCI-designated Cancer Centers?
NCI-designated Cancer Centers are medical research institutions recognized for their scientific excellence and extensive resources focused on cancer and cancer-related problems. These Centers are a major source of discovery into the nature of cancer and development of effective approaches to cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. In addition, they deliver state-of-the-art medical care to patients and their families, educate healthcare professionals and the public, and reach out to underserved populations. They may be freestanding institutions, a center within a larger academic institution, or part of a consortium of institutions.
To learn more, visit:
These Centers receive core support from NCI through the Cancer Center Support Grants (P30). They also receive substantial financial support from other NCI grants. These awards fund research programs that foster interactions between basic laboratory, clinical, and population scientists; access for investigators to shared services and technologies that are necessary to their research efforts; and other scientific infrastructure. Requests from eligible institutions are subjected to a competitive peer review process that evaluates and ranks applications according to their merit.
How much funding did the Cancer Centers receive under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)?
62 NCI-designated Cancer Centers across the country received $63 million in ARRA funding to supplement Cancer Center Support Grants (P30). Additional ARRA funding was awarded to specific research investigators within Cancer Centers through other funding mechanisms at NCI and NIH, including Challenge Grants, Grand Opportunity Grants, comparative effectiveness research funds, and others.
How will ARRA funding impact the Cancer Centers?
The ARRA funding will allow the Centers to hire and retain faculty and staff, purchase equipment for new and existing labs, increase their investment in information technology, and initiate developmental projects focused on clinical trials, personalized medicine, and health disparities, among other areas.
How many additional people are supported by these grants?
The majority of Centers receiving ARRA funds were able to hire or retain between one and five new faculty and scientists, research coordinators, radiologists, research physicians and nurses, statisticians, post doctoral students, and laboratory technicians.
How does the investment in information technology enhance cancer research?
The funds received by the Centers will augment existing technology systems and thereby improve the efficiency of the clinical trial enterprise.
How do these grants support new science?
A proportion of the grants going to Cancer Centers will enable them to pursue the latest innovations in scientific research and technology in areas such as proteomics, biospecimen research, genomic research, and new technology.
How is ARRA funding for the Cancer Centers helping to stimulate the economy?
Additional funding is contributing to the hiring and retention of new faculty, scientists, radiologists, laboratory technicians and other workers to support existing and new research opportunities. Through ARRA funds, Cancer Centers will also enhance current research facilities by purchasing additional equipment, replacing older equipment and adding support staff.
