A joint research initiative between the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.

National Cancer Institute Designation


“164.476(5)(c) Leverage the resources earmarked for the Lung Cancer Research Project toward the certification of the cancer program at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville by the National Cancer Institute as a cancer center[.]”

The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville are pursuing NCI designation as cancer centers.  KLCR Program resources provide the equivalent of core support that a P-30 Cancer Center Support Grant would provide NCI-designated cancer centers.

The Markey Cancer Center has previously had both NCI designation (through a P-30 grant) and a P-20 planning grant.  The Brown Cancer Center received the last P-20 planning grant NCI intends to award.

The elements of NCI designation provided below, are explained in the NCI P-30 grant application for the Cancer Center Support Grant, available at www.nci.nih.gov/cancercenters/description.html

NCI Designation Essential Characteristics

  • Cancer “Focus”
  • Institutional commitment
  • Center Director Authority
  • Organizational capabilities
  • Facilities
  • Collaboration and coordination

Critical benchmarks for NCI-Designation as a Cancer Center

Successful candidate centers--

  • Affiliate with institutions that have a strong research base in cancer-relate science
  • Demonstrate that scientifically excellent and well-integrated programs are in place in each of the three major research areas (basic, translational, and clinical) and that substantial interactions between these areas are evident
  • Demonstrate that leadership, organization, and processes for development and evaluation facilitate scientific productivity, strengthen the institution’s research capabilities, and enable its investigators to take advantage of scientific opportunities
  • Recognize and encourage excellence in scientific judgment in actions or decisions
  • Add value over and above what can be expected from separately funded research efforts themselves by virtue of the thoughtful manner in which research programs are organized
  • Demonstrate that the center adds tangible value to the research base already in place within the institution, and that the six essential elements of an NCI cancer center are met

Contact:

University of Kentucky
Robert Means, MD
Interim Director of Markey Cancer Center

University of Louisville
Don Miller, MD, PhD
Director of Brown Cancer Center

 
© 2007 Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Program