Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) for NCI-designated Cancer Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs), issued under FOA PAR-20-043 by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aim to provide funding support to NCI-designated Cancer Centers. These centers are critical institutions within the national cancer research infrastructure, designed to serve as leading sources of scientific discovery in cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The CCSG mechanism (P30 activity code) supports the integration and coordination of multidisciplinary research efforts across institutional boundaries, leveraging transdisciplinary collaboration for scientific advancements. There are three types of NCI-designated Cancer Centers eligible for CCSG funding: Basic Cancer Centers (focused primarily on basic laboratory research), Clinical Cancer Centers (which conduct research across basic, clinical, and population-based areas), and Comprehensive Cancer Centers (which cover all major research domains and demonstrate substantial transdisciplinary collaboration). All CCSG-funded centers are expected to function as research hubs with robust shared resource infrastructure, strategic planning, and a centralized administration. These centers should facilitate scientific productivity through integrated research programs, community engagement, clinical trials oversight, and education and training initiatives. Importantly, Comprehensive and Clinical Centers must define a population-based catchment area to guide community-focused research and outreach. This FOA was reissued from PAR-17-095 and later succeeded by PAR-21-321, with the updated expiration date of October 12, 2021. It accepted both new (Type 1) and renewal (Type 2) applications. New applications had specified budget caps—$1.2 million/year for Basic Cancer Centers and $1.4 million/year for Clinical Cancer Centers in direct costs—while renewals were allowed to propose budgets based on project needs. The typical project period is five years, with the possibility of extending to seven years based on merit and performance evaluations. Clinical trials may be proposed but are not required. Eligible institutions included public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits, government entities (state, county, city, tribal), and others such as school districts, housing authorities, and community organizations. New applications required a minimum annual NIH cancer-focused funding base of $10 million in direct costs, while renewal applications could count broader peer-reviewed cancer-related funding. Notably, foreign entities and components were not eligible to apply. Applications followed NIH’s multi-project (M) format within the SF424 (R&R) system. Required components included detailed data tables on leadership, funding, research protocols, patient counts, and clinical trials. Required components varied by center type, with additional expectations for Clinical and Comprehensive Centers, such as Community Outreach and Engagement and centralized clinical trials monitoring. Submissions were accepted on standard NIH dates and evaluated under NIH peer review and advisory council protocols. The application did not require letters of intent and followed standard review dates. Although the FOA has expired, its structure and requirements continue under the new issuance PAR-21-321. Cancer centers considering a CCSG application are advised to engage with the NCI Office of Cancer Centers to assess eligibility and understand application requirements, particularly for consortium arrangements. Consortium partners must demonstrate integrated research capabilities and meet specific criteria before being included in CCSG-supported activities.