“This award was a crucial stepping stone in my success as a junior faculty member at UCR. It enabled me to recruit talented trainees to my group, explore new research directions, and secure funding from federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, it played a key role in strengthening my tenure portfolio as I'm advancing in my career, gain recognition in my fields and promote the success of my trainees.”

UCR Faculty Grantee, 2024 CRCC 4-Year Outcomes Report

The UC Cancer Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) Faculty Seed Grants and Graduate Student Fellowships in Cancer

Mission Statement

A UC Commitment to the Fight Against Cancer

Recognizing a unique opportunity to advance research in the fight against cancer, UC President Robert Sproul established the CRCC in 1947. This early commitment to seed discovery and faculty careers in cancer research, using income derived from designated bequests to the University of California, has helped position UC as a national leader, garnering unmatched levels of federal funding, and helping to improve the health of not only Californians, but all people affected by cancer. This unique funding source now provides annual support to UC faculty and graduate students studying all aspects of cancer, and has launched careers and new directions in cancer research.

Systemwide Administration and Governance

The faculty-led CRCC, with members from all ten UC campuses, sets funding priorities and provides academic oversight for use of the 33 bequests and voluntary tax donations that comprise the program income. The CRCC convenes annually to identify meritorious research projects proposed by faculty peers that articulate novel directions likely to lead to breakthroughs in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, or cure. Awards are selected through rigorous, competitive peer review. Administrative and fiscal oversight of the program resides at the UC Office of the President, under the direction of the Vice President for Research & Innovation. The UC Research Initiatives team (doctoral level staff with expertise in life, health, physical, and social sciences) manages the funding opportunity and research awards within the comprehensive grant-making infrastructure of the Research Grants Program Office. All awards are administered in compliance with University, state, and federal policies.

Creating and Sustaining UC Excellence in Cancer Research

CRCC funding positions UC faculty for unparalleled success in garnering extramural awards, resulting in new federal and foundation support to continue the line of research.
CRCC funding ensures a pipeline of innovative cancer scholars by supporting graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, as well as undergraduates, Master’s students and post-baccalaureates.
For almost 80 years, CRCC has provided UC faculty a competitive advantage in cancer research, and has grown with the University of California: Today, CRCC recipients on all 10 campuses launch novel projects in all aspects of cancer, sustaining a vibrant community of scholarship across the system.