Research Centers for Cancer Systems Biology (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports the application of systems biology approaches to cancer research through the Cancer Systems Biology Consortium (CSBC). The CSBC includes U01 Research Projects and, through this FOA, U54 Research Centers. These multi-project Research Centers should address challenges in basic cancer biology that require a coordinated systems biology approach. Research Centers should address a well-defined overarching scientific theme that will be pursued through two or three research projects. The research projects should be driven by a specific hypothesis and incorporate iterative cycles of quantitative experimentation, analysis, modeling, and validation in a disease-relevant context. Each Research Center will be led by an interdisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in quantitative and cancer biology. An Administrative Core, optional Shared Resource Core(s), and an Outreach Core will support the overall Research Center scientific theme. Each Research Center will prioritize sharing interoperable datasets and accessible tools, with the support of a multi-consortium U24 Coordinating Center (being solicited under RFA-CA-21-049). Research Center personnel will actively collaborate within and outside the consortium and will support a welcoming and diverse community at the Research Center and consortium.