The American Cancer Society Extramural Research Program

The quest for knowledge through research is basic for the advancement of humanity and the conquest of disease.

The American Cancer Society recognizes the importance of research and has made its research program one of the cornerstones of its activities.

The Research Department of the American Cancer Society receives between 3,000 and 4,000 investigator-initiated requests for grant support each year. Types of Grants illustrates the types of grants that are available. All proposals are subjected to multilevel peer review to identify the most meritorious and innovative to be funded. The majority of applications and grants awarded fall into three categories: Research and Clinical Investigation Grants, Grants for the Support of Personnel for Research, and Institutional Research Grants.

Applications in these categories are initially reviewed by the appropriate Scientific Advisory Committee and by the Council for Research and Clinical Investigation Awards. Recommendations made by the Council are submitted to the Research and Clinical Investigation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Applications for Research Development Program Grants, Special Institutional Grants, and Special Purpose Grants are evaluated by mail review, by ad hoc committees, or are considered directly by the Research and Clinical Investigation Committee. Final authority for funding rests with the Board of Directors.

Each Scientific Advisory Committee generally has between 15 and 25 members who are leaders in their areas of expertise and who donate their time for the customary four-year appointment. The Council for Research and Clinical Investigation Awards is a multi-disciplinary panel, the members of which have usually served on the Scientific Advisory Committees.

On receipt of applications, the Society's Scientific Program Directors distribute them to the most appropriate Advisory Committee and then assign each application to at least two committee members for review. At the committee meeting, the applications are discussed and a priority score is voted for each one. Based on priority scores, the Council makes its recommendations for funding to the Research and Clinical Investigation Committee of the Board.

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