Key Initiatives
NCI has worked to leverage its role as the leader of the National Cancer Program to expand our understanding of cancer and to translate new knowledge into better cancer prevention and treatment. Although the majority of NCI’s funding supports investigator-initiated science, the institute also invests in major research initiatives to facilitate and support research on specific issues of importance to the cancer research enterprise. Some of these key initiatives include:
Cancer Moonshot℠
NCI is supporting foundational research undertaken through the Cancer Moonshot and launching new initiatives to build on those successes with the aim of achieving bold new goals.
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NCI Equity and Inclusion Program
The NCI Equity and Inclusion Program strives to end structural racism in biomedical research by increasing the diversity of the cancer research workforce, building a more inclusive and equitable community at NCI, addressing cancer disparities, and advancing health equity. Learn how we’ll accomplish these goals.
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NCI COVID-19 Research Initiatives
There is a lot to learn about how COVID-19 affects people, including those with cancer, and how to treat the disease. NCI is mobilizing its scientific experts and cutting-edge resources to conduct research on COVID-19.
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Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI)
CCDI addresses the critical need to collect, analyze, and share data to accelerate childhood cancer research.
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The RAS Initiative
NCI established this initiative to develop effective therapies against tumors that contain mutations in members of the RAS family of oncogenes. RAS genes are mutated in approximately one-third of all cancers. The RAS Initiative highlights NCI’s ability to bring together experts from across the research enterprise to address pressing scientific and clinical questions in cancer.