An official website of the United States government
Our mission
NCI leads a national effort to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. Through basic and clinical biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.
Who we are
Our organization
As the nation's leading federal agency for cancer research, NCI has 30 divisions, offices, and centers who work together to build, maintain, and enhance a cohesive and comprehensive cancer research agenda. Their work ranges from cutting-edge research on cancer causes, treatment, and prevention; to training the next generation of cancer researchers; to funding and supporting the nation's vast network of scientists and cancer research institutions; to informing and educating the American public and the world about cancer.
Leadership
Dr. Anthony Letai, M.D., Ph.D., joined NCI as the 18th director on September 29, 2025. He previously served as professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Advisory groups
As the federal government’s lead agency for cancer research, NCI relies on advisory committees to provide objective and expert advice on coordination of the National Cancer Program, NCI scientific priorities, development of major extramural program initiatives, future direction of NCI’s intramural and clinical trials programs, and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.
Research and grants
Our research
The National Cancer Act of 1971 authorized NCI to coordinate cancer research across the United States. In the ensuing decades, NCI has built and maintained an infrastructure that coordinates research studies and clinical trials and makes a wide variety of resources available to the cancer research community.
Our grants
Support for the best science underpins everything NCI does. NCI supports the best scientists and research projects through a rigorous grant application and peer review process.
Budget
The Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Professional Judgment Budget presents NCI’s assessment of the optimal funding to support the National Cancer Program and help all people live longer, healthier lives. FY27 presents an opportunity for Congress to sustain robust cancer research for the United States, including new funding to modernize and expand cancer clinical trials, increase investments in cancer research grants, ensure a robust future workforce, and develop new ways to prevent and detect cancer earlier.
NCI newsletters
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Collaborate with us
Scientists at the National Cancer Institute are committed to improving science literacy, increasing enthusiasm for STEM, and promoting careers in biomedical research. Collaborators benefit from having scientists involved in cutting edge research assist in their classrooms, programs, and/or events.