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Federal Agencies

Federal Agencies and Cancer Research Programs

While the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training, cancer research is also supported through a number of other federal agencies and institutes. On this page you will find links and information to agencies that carry out vital cancer research programs

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

HHS is a Cabinet-level department that oversees 11 agencies and over 300 programs with the mission of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.

Website: www.hhs.gov

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The NIH, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. It is composed of 27 Institutes and Centers, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and provides leadership and financial support to researchers in every state across the U.S. and throughout the world.

Website: http://www.nih.gov/

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The NCI, an institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training.

Website: http://www.cancer.gov/

NCI Links:

  • National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB): NCAB is an advisory board to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the NCI Director with respect to NCI activities.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation. The agency plays a vital role in researching the products of cutting-edge science that are central to the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Website: http://www.fda.gov/

Relevant FDA Centers and Offices

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), works to protect public health and safety by providing information to enhance health decisions and promoting health through partnerships with state health departments and other organizations.

Website: http://www.cdc.gov/

CDC Cancer Programs:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

AHRQ, an agency of HHS, conducts and supports health services research within the federal government as well as in leading academic institutions, hospitals, physicians’ offices, health care systems and many other settings across the country. The agency has a broad research portfolio that touches on nearly every aspect of health care.

Website: http://www.ahrq.gov/

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

HRSA, an agency of the HHS, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for the medically underserved. HRSA oversees a range of programs and initiatives, including the national system that allocates organs, tissue and blood stem cells for transplant as well as programsdesignedto enhance the diversity and distribution of the health care workforce.

Website: http://www.hrsa.gov/

Department of Defense (DoD)

The DoD, and specifically the U.S. Army’s Medical Research and Material Command, manages the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). CDMRP was initiated in 1992 and now encompasses multiple targeted research programs.The DoD was selected to manage the research because of the department’s long history of developing vaccine protocols and therapeutic strategies.

CDMRP Website: http://cdmrp.army.mil/

DoD Cancer Programs:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA is a Cabinet-level agency that leads the nation’s environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts with the overall mission of protecting human health and the environment. Health research supported by the EPA provides insight into potential health risks that the public faces from exposure to environmental contaminants and pollutants that can lead to the development of cancer or other diseases.

Website: http://www.epa.gov/

EPA Research Program: