NCI-Designated Cancer Centers are characterized by scientific excellence and the capability to integrate a diversity of research approaches to focus on the problem of cancer.
NCI recognizes centers around the country that meet rigorous standards for transdisciplinary, state-of-the-art research focused on developing new and better approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer.
They play a vital role in advancing towards our goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer.
NCI designates three types of cancer centers:
Comprehensive Cancer Centers: which demonstrate reasonable depth and breadth of their research in basic, clinical, and/or prevention, cancer control, and population science, as well as substantial transdisciplinary research that bridges these scientific areas. In addition, these centers are effective in serving their catchment area through the cancer research they support and the cancer control activities they undertake. They also integrate training and education of biomedical researchers and community health care professionals.
Clinical Cancer Centers: which are focused on basic laboratory, clinical, prevention, cancer control, and population-based science. All areas of science are linked collaboratively.
Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers: which are focused on basic laboratory research but often conduct preclinical translation while working collaboratively with other institutions to apply these laboratory findings to new and better cancer treatment.
A directory with contact information for all NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.
Find a cancer center »Research Programs promote collaborative research between basic laboratory, clinical, and population sciences.
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