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

The Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) offered under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (PAR-25-444) are administered 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. Established by the National Cancer Act of 1971, the NCI Cancer Centers Program was designed to foster innovative and collaborative cancer research across diverse disciplines. This program supports designated cancer centers that serve as leading institutions for cancer research, discovery, and translational efforts in the United States. The CCSG mechanism (P30 activity code) was specifically created to provide the financial infrastructure needed to integrate and manage comprehensive cancer research programs. This funding opportunity seeks to support three types of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers: Basic, Clinical, and Comprehensive. Basic Cancer Centers are research-focused and emphasize pre-clinical and laboratory science; Clinical Cancer Centers combine clinical, basic, and population science research; Comprehensive Cancer Centers meet the broadest set of criteria, demonstrating significant capacity in all three research domains and transdisciplinary integration across scientific areas. These centers play a critical role in advancing scientific knowledge, fostering collaboration, disseminating findings to the community, and integrating cancer education, training, and community outreach as part of their core mission. The CCSG provides funding to support centralized infrastructure, including scientific leadership, administration, planning and evaluation activities, shared research resources, and developmental funds for emerging scientific opportunities. While the CCSG does not fund direct research activities, it enhances the research enterprise by facilitating coordination, enabling cross-disciplinary collaboration, and bolstering research support functions. Notably, the award amounts differ by center type: up to $1.2 million per year for Basic Centers, $1.4 million for Clinical Centers, and $1.5 million for Comprehensive Centers in direct costs. Renewals are not subject to a budget ceiling but must reflect the actual needs of the center. The standard award period is five years, with the potential for a two-year extension under specific merit-based criteria. Applicants must follow the NIH Multi-Project (M) instructions for application preparation and submission via NIH ASSIST or institution-based system-to-system tools. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and private institutions, governments, and nonprofit organizations. New applicants must demonstrate a cancer-relevant NIH funding base of at least $6 million (Basic) or $10 million (Clinical), while renewals require $10 million from peer-reviewed sources. A single application per institution is allowed, and all applicants must have completed registrations in SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and related systems. Applications must adhere to NIH standard due dates, which recur on January 25, May 25, and September 25 each year through September 25, 2028. The earliest possible start date is typically 10–12 months after submission, depending on the review and council schedule. Reviews will assess overall impact and six essential characteristics: physical space, organizational capability, collaboration, cancer focus, institutional commitment, and leadership. Components of the multi-part application include research programs, shared resource cores, administration, training and education, outreach and engagement, clinical trial management, and more. Comprehensive evaluation criteria address scientific merit, research base strength, strategic planning, and the added value of CCSG support. Applicants can obtain further guidance by contacting the Office of Cancer Centers ([email protected]) or referring to the NIH grants policy statement and the application instructions. Successful applicants are expected to serve as scientific leaders, collaborate with other NCI-funded initiatives, engage their local communities through outreach and research, and enhance national efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.

Emphasize CCSG’s “value-added” impact on Center achievements; Address all six Essential Characteristics; Ensure rigor and breadth in Research Programs; Align Outreach and Training with strategic goals; Demonstrate transdisciplinary collaboration and institutional commitment.