Collaborative Cancer Research Initiative

The Collaborative Cancer Research Initiative (CCRI) is designed to maximize the use of the basic and clinical research, drug discovery, drug delivery, and drug development capabilities and facilities for cancer research in Kansas, including the University of Kansas Cancer Center. This program will allow academic, federal agency, and nonprofit researchers inside and outside of Kansas to collaborate with Kansas scientists to perform research in Kansas facilities not possible at their home institutions. For-profit companies interested in collaborating with Kansas cancer researchers should contact the Kansas Bioscience Authority about the voucher program that can be used to sponsor such research by private-sector companies.

The KBA has committed $2.5 million to the CCRI program in FY 2009. The KBA will fund research awards up to $500,000 to investigators nationally (including within Kansas) for collaborative projects conducted with Kansas cancer researchers.

The program is a key element of the KBA’s strategy to enhance access to cancer research, care and treatment statewide. It will:

  • Foster collaboration with academic institutions across the state and nationwide, thus expanding the visibility of cancer basic research and clinical research, drug discovery, drug delivery and drug development capabilities and facilities at cancer research centers in Kansas;
  • Increase research at the cancer research centers in Kansas not only through collaborations with individual investigators but by supporting the establishment of strategic partnerships with academic institutions, federal agencies and nonprofit organizations;
  • Expand existing cancer research capabilities as well as establish new research capabilities at cancer research centers in Kansas; and
  • Through collaboration with national investigators, create opportunities to recruit top talent to cancer research centers in Kansas.

For more information or to apply, please see KBA CCRI RFP.

“We have some very exciting life sciences companies in various stages of development here in our region, and with support from the Kansas Bioscience Authority, we have a much better opportunity to be successful and to grow and retain them here.”

- Sam Campbell, Co-founder, CritiTech