FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Health Service Act, Section 305(a), 410, 411, and 414, Public Law 78-410, 42 U.S.C. 241, as amended; Public Law 100-607, 42 U.S.C. 285, 285a and 285a-3; Public Law 99-500.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide an organizational focus and stimulus for the highest quality cancer research that effectively promotes interdisciplinary cancer research aimed toward the ultimate goal of reducing cancer incidence, mortality and morbidity. The Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) provides the resources and infrastructure to facilitate the coordination of interdisciplinary programs across a broad spectrum of research from basic laboratory research to clinical investigation to population science. The CCSG supports salaries for scientific leadership of the Center, shared resources for funded center investigators, certain administrative costs, planning and evaluation, and developmental funds for new recruitments and feasibility studies.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

In general, CCSGs do not support research projects directly but are used to enhance the ongoing cancer research and to strengthen the existing research base according to the "Policies and Guidelines Relating to the Cancer Center Support Grant."

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Any nonprofit institution within the United States with a peer-reviewed cancer research base of 3.0 million dollars in direct costs may apply for a Cancer Center Support Grant.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   University, college, public agency or research institution in the U.S.

Credentials/Documentation:   The application requests documentation concerning the qualifications of the principal investigators and associates, pertinent budget information and justification for the support of this proposed grant. Methods to be utilized are outlined in the application materials. Costs will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart Q, and for State and local governments in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Method of Application: Form PHS-398 (Rev. May 2001) can be obtained from the, Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910. Telephone (301)435-0714; e-mail ASKNIH@odrockml.od.nih.gov. In addition, supplemental instructions for applications are contained in the Cancer Center Support Grant Guidelines which can be obtained by writing to the Cancer Centers Branch, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 700, MSC 8345, Bethesda, MD 20892-8345 or by calling (301)496-8531. Generally, the potential applicant should send a letter of intent to the National Cancer Institute, submitting a CCSG application to the same address for review (see Guidelines for CCSGs). Completed applications should be submitted to the Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR, Part 92 for State and local governments and OMB Circular No. A-110 for nonprofit organizations.

Award Procedure:   Grants are funded based on scientific merit, program relevance, and program balance and are made annually. Initial award provides funds for the first budget period (usually 12 months) and Notice of Grant Award (Form PHS 1533) indicates support recommended for the remainder of the project period, allocation of Federal funds by budget categories and special conditions, if any.

Deadlines:   Cancer Center Support Grant Applications (P30 mechanism): Renewals, New and Supplemental: February 1, June 1, and October 1. Cancer Center Planning Grant Applications (P20 mechanism): January 14.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Core Grants: Approximately 10 months.

Appeals:   A principal investigator may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH home page www.nih.gov/grants/guide/1997/97.11.21/n2.html.

Renewals:   Same procedure as new applications.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Up to 5 years of support may be requested. Grants may be awarded up to 5 years based on competitive peer review.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Progress reports are required each year. An annual financial status report is requested 90 days after the end of the budget period. Special reports may be requested by DHHS. Terminal reports are required 90 days after the end of a project.

Audits:   "In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133." In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records:   Expenditures and other financial records must be retained for 3 years from the day on which the grantee submits the last financial status report for the report period.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   75-0849-0-1-552.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 est $279,731,000; FY 02 est $304,799,000; and FY 03 est $355,808,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
Range: $1,000 to $12,353, Average: $2,043,353.

Fiscal year 2001 Centers funded 93 total Centers - 60 CORE, 31 SPORE, and 2 Specialized Centers. Fiscal year 2002 Centers est 102 total Centers 61 CORE, 37 SPORE, and 4 Specialized Centers. Fiscal year 2003 Centers est. 110 total Centers 61 CORE, 45 SPORE, and 4 Specialized Centers. Cancer Centers are supported through the P30 grant mechanism as Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs), which fall into three categories as follows: cancer centers, clinical cancer centers and comprehensive cancer centers. In addition, applications for P20 Cancer Center Planning Grants are accepted once a year for competitive review. Policies and guidelines governing the main instrument of support, the Cancer Center Support Grant, have recently been revised; separate guidelines for the P20 Cancer Center Planning Grants are also available. In fiscal year 2001, 61 cancer centers are estimated to receive these grants, and in 2002, 62 centers are anticipated to be funded. In addition to the P30 Cancer Center Support Grants, the program supports the planning efforts of five academic and research institutions with P20 planning grants. Six are anticipated to be supported with these planning grants in fiscal year 2001 and seven in fiscal year 2002. Fiscal year 2003 is expected to be a very active year for planning grants; six applications have been submitted for review. The cancer centers program currently supports 60 cancer centers. These all represent the most research intensive institutions in the country. However, considerable progress is being made in working with smaller, less research intensive institutions in areas of the country that have not NCI designated cancer centers. There are at least 15 institutions that have the potential to be excellent small cancer centers located in states without centers at this time. The NCI will work with these institutions very closely in t he future.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

42 CFR 52; 45 CFR 74; 45 CFR 92; PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 90- 50,000, (Rev.) October 1, 1990.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Catherine M. Battistone 9609 Medical Center Drive Seventh Floor, West Tower, 7W532, MSC 9750, Rockville, Maryland 20850 Email: battistc@mail.nih.gov Phone: 240-276-6443 Fax: 240-276-7682

Web Site Address:  
http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

CCSG awards to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute (comprehensive cancer center); to University of Alabama (comprehensive cancer center), to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (clinical cancer center), to the University of Utah (clinical cancer center), to the Salk Institute (cancer center), and to the Wistar Institute, cancer center.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

The major elements in evaluating applications include the following: (1) An adequate base of established programs of high quality in laboratory and clinical cancer research; (2) research activity in a variety of disciplines, and evidence of high degree of interdisciplinary coordination, interaction and cooperation among center members; (3) appropriate and adequate organization and facilities for the conduct and evaluation of center activities; (4) a qualified director with adequate authority; and (5) an adequate commitment of the parent institution or institutions to the cancer center. The center should be recognized as a major element within the organizational structure.