'C' Acronyms

Research Construction Programs C06  
To provide matching Federal funds, up to 75%, for construction or major remodeling, to create new research facilities. In addition to basic research laboratories this may include, under certain circumstances, animal facilities and/or limited clinical facilities where they are an integral part of an overall research effort.

For additional information, visit the NCI Grant Activity Codes/Mechanisms webpage.

cancer Biomedical Informatics caBIG  
One of the most challenging issues for researchers and biorepositories has been the absence of information technology tools and infrastructure to facilitate the appropriate collection, processing, archiving, and dissemination of biospecimens to the research community, not only within an individual medical institution but also in a network across multiple institutions.
  • caTissue core will address all aspects of donor enrollment and informed consent, collection and tracking of samples.
  • caTissue CAE will address annotation of biospecimens with molecular and clinical data.
  • caTIES will allow extraction of structured data from free text pathology reports.
caBIG™ tools are designed with security considerations to support patient privacy and data access restrictions, including those aspects covered by the Common Rule and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

For additional information about caBIG™, see the caBIG™ webpage.

Common Accounting Number CAN  
The identification number of the specific IC account to be charged for the acquisition of supplies, services or equipment. This is sometimes referred to as accounting and appropriation data, or a fund cite.

Quoted from the NIH OAMP Acquisition Process Mapping Glossary.

Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium CanCORS  
The NCI, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), supported a research consortium of eight grantees to measure the quality of cancer care and associated health outcomes in the United States. This project, entitled "Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium" (CanCORS), supported prospective research in a cohort of approximately 10,000 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer or colorectal cancer recruited from geographically diverse populations and health care systems.

Seven of the CanCORS sites were supported by NCI grants funded through a cooperative agreement. The VA funded the eighth site.

This initiative concluded in July 2014.

For additional information, visit the CanCORS Website.

Commercialization Accelerator Program CAP  
The NIH Commercialization Accelerator Program (CAP), offered annually since 2004 (previously known as the Commercialization Assistance Program), is designed to help some of the agency's most promising small life science and healthcare Phase II awardees develop their commercial businesses and transition their SBIR/STTR-funded technologies into the marketplace. Applicants are selected via a competitive process for a limited number of slots in the program.

For additional information see the NIH Commercialization Accelerator Program (CAP) webpage.

Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities CARRA  
See: Office of Advocacy Relations
Cost Allocation Services CAS  
Cost Allocation Service (CAS) Cost Allocation Services (CAS) is located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Program Support Center (PSC). HHS is designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the cognizant federal agency for reviewing and negotiating facility and administrative (indirect) cost rates, fringe benefit rates, special rates as determined to be appropriate, research patient care rates, statewide cost allocation plans and public assistance cost allocation plans. These indirect cost rates and cost allocation plans are used by grantee institutions to charge Federal programs for administrative and facility costs associated with conducting Federal programs.
Computerized Axial Tomography Scan CAT  
A procedure that uses a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create 3-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. A computed tomography scan may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment, or find out how well treatment is working. Also called CAT scan, computerized axial tomography scan, computerized tomography, and CT scan.

Quoted from the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.

Concept to Award Tracking System CATS  
The Concept to Award Tracking System (CATS) follows the progress of concepts from creation to final approval. The CATS application tracks the creation of a new concept, editing and submitting the concept for the director's approval. Then as part of the process, the concepts are presented at the Scientific Program Leaders (SPL) and the Board of Scientific Advisors (BSA) meetings. CATS schedules the presentations, stores the presentation materials, and records the decisions and comments. CATS also tracks the Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) / Program Announcements (PA) that are produced after a concept is approved.
Commerce Business Daily CBD  
The Commerce Buisness Daily (CBD) was used as point of entry for Federal acquisitions, but it no longer exists; it has been replaced by FedBizOpps.
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA CBER  
The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is the Center within FDA that regulates biological products for human use under applicable federal laws, including the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. CBER protects and advances the public health by ensuring that biological products are safe and effective and available to those who need them. CBER also provides the public with information to promote the safe and appropriate use of biological products.
Center for Biomedical Informantics and Infromatics Technology CBIIT  
NCI's Center for Biomedical Informantics and Infromatics Technology (CBIIT) collaborates across NCI to plan, provide, and coordinate technology, standards, and scientific computing in support of the NCI mission to speed discovery, facilitate open science, and progress towards precision treatment in cancer care and a learning healthcare system.
Community-Based Organization CBO  
A public or private nonprofit organization that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community and works to meet community needs.

Quoted from the NIH AIDSinfo Glossary.

Cancer Center CC  
The NCI Cancer Centers Program is one of the anchors of the nation's cancer research effort. There are currently 69 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, located in 35 states and the District of Columbia, that form the backbone of NCI's programs for studying and controlling cancer. At any given time, hundreds of research studies are under way at the cancer centers, ranging from basic laboratory research to clinical assessments of new treatments. Many of these studies are collaborative and may involve several cancer centers, as well as other partners in industry and the community.
See Also: Research Centers
NIH Clinical Center CC or Building 10  
The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, America's research hospital, is located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md. Through clinical research, clinician-investigators translate laboratory discoveries into better treatments, therapies and interventions to improve the nation's health.
See Also: Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center ;  Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center
Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials CCCT  
NCI's Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials (CCCT) facilitates efforts across NCI to enhance the effectiveness of the NCI's clinical trials enterprise through collaboration and harmonization among NCI programs and extramural stakeholder communities.
Center for Cancer Genomics CCG  
NCI's (NCI) Center for Cancer Genomics (CCG) unifies NCI's activities in cancer genomics by aiming to synthesize research in different fields of cancer genomics - structural, functional, and computational - to improve patient outcomes. CCG programs and collaborations generate cancer genomic and clinical data, and make these data available for widespread use by the research community.
Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence CCNEs  
The multi-disciplinary Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs) teams are the main venue for the discovery and tool development toward the application of nanotechnology to clinical oncology. CCNE teams are focused on integrated technology solutions and the aggressive development of these solutions from pre-clinical to clinical application. CCNEs are designed to enable multi-disciplinary team research by linking physical scientists, engineers and technologists working at the nanoscale with cancer biologists and oncologists specializing in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer.
Community Clinical Oncology Program CCOP  
See: NCI Community Oncology Research Program
Central Contractor Registration CCR  
As of July 2012, Central Contractor Registry (CCR) has been replaced with the System for Awards Management (SAM).

Quoted from the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

See: System for Award Management
Center for Cancer Research CCR  
NCI's Center for Cancer Research (CCR) houses a productive community of NCI intramural basic researchers, clinicians, and translational scientists who integrate basic and clinical research discovery to develop novel therapeutic interventions which better treat adults and children with cancer or HIV.
Center for Cancer Training CCT  
NCI's Center for Cancer Training (CCT) provides funding to support training and career development at institutions nationwide and manages training programs at NCI's laboratories, clinics, and research groups to develop a 21st century workforce capable of advancing cancer research.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC  
A major operating component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a system of health surveillance to monitor and prevent outbreak of diseases. With the assistance of states and other partners, CDC guards against international disease transmission, maintains national health statistics and provides for immunization services and supports research into disease and injury prevention.
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA CDER  
The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) performs an essential public health task by making sure that safe and effective drugs are available to improve the health of people in the United States.

As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDER regulates over-the-counter and prescription drugs, including biological therapeutics and generic drugs. This work covers more than just medicines. For example, fluoride toothpaste, antiperspirants, dandruff shampoos and sunscreens are all considered "drugs."

Common Data Elements CDEs  
Data terms or concepts that have been determined to be identical between projects or contexts.

Quoted from the NCI Thesaurus.

Cancer Diagnosis Program CDP  
The Cancer Diagnosis Program (CDP) strives to improve the diagnosis and assessment of cancer by effectively moving new scientific knowledge into clinical practice. This national program stimulates, coordinates and funds resources and research for the development of innovative in vitro diagnostics, novel diagnostic technologies and appropriate human specimens in order to better characterize cancers and allow improved medical decision making and evaluation of response to treatment.
Cancer Disparities Research Partnership Program CDRP  
The NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis(DCTD) Radiation Research Program's (RRP) Cancer Disparities Research Partnership (CDRP) program was designed to test novel approaches toward reducing the negative consequences associated with cancer health disparities. Following two 5-year funding periods, the CDRP program is no longer an active funding mechanism, however, the RRP continues to work with CDRP and others interested in addressing this critical issue. A manuscript summarizing the highlights and lessons learned is in preparation.

Quoted from the NCI DCTD RRP Program Collaborations webpage.

Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research II CECCR  
In December 2008, NCI announced five newly awarded Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research II (CECCR II). This 5–year initiative is a follow up to the first iteration of CECCRs (2003-2008), which was developed as a priority when NCI planners identified cancer communication as an "extraordinary opportunity" for research in the area of cancer control. For more information about CECCR I, see the CECCR Archive.

This second iteration of the CECCR initiative remains the centerpiece of NCI's's Extraordinary Opportunity in Cancer Communication, a broad initiative that supported research and outreach aimed at increasing the knowledge about, tools for, access to, and use of cancer communications by the public, patients, survivors, and health professionals.

Commercial Evaluation License CEL  
Commercial Evaluation Licenses grant to the licensee the nonexclusive right to make and use, but not sell, the technology for the purpose of evaluating its commercial potential. The license is for a limited number of months, and companies are required to obtain a commercial patent license from the NCI Technology Transfer Center for further use and/or development of the technology.

Visit the NCI Technology Transfer Center website for further information.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFDA  
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) provides a full listing of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals.
Cancer Family Registries CFR  
The Breast Cancer Family Registry (Breast CFR) and the Colon Cancer Family Registry (Colon CFR) were established by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a unique resource for investigators to use in conducting studies on the genetics and molecular epidemiology of breast and colon cancer.
Code of Federal Regulations CFR  
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. The 50 subject matter titles contain one or more individual volumes, which are updated once each calendar year, on a staggered basis. The annual update cycle is as follows: titles 1-16 are revised as of January 1; titles 17-27 are revised as of April 1; titles 28-41 are revised as of July 1; and titles 42-50 are revised as of October 1. Each title is divided into chapters, which usually bear the name of the issuing agency. Each chapter is further subdivided into parts that cover specific regulatory areas. Large parts may be subdivided into subparts. All parts are organized in sections, and most citations to the CFR refer to material at the section level.
Cancer Genome Anatomy Project CGAP  
The NCI's Cancer Genome Anatomy Project sought to determine the gene expression profiles of normal, precancer, and cancer cells, leading eventually to improved detection, diagnosis, and treatment for the patient. Resources generated by the CGAP initiative are available to the broad cancer community. Interconnected modules provide access to all CGAP data, bioinformatic analysis tools, and biological resources allowing the user to find "in silico" answers to biological questions in a fraction of the time it once took in the laboratory.
Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility CGEMS  
CGEMS identifies common inherited genetic variations associated with a number of cancers, including breast and prostate. Data from these genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are available through the Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics website.

Quoted from the NCI Office of Cancer Genomics webpage.

Center for Global Health CGH  
NCI's Center for Global Health (CGH) provides assistance and guidance to nations as they develop and implement cancer control plans, trains international investigators, and strengthens U.S. national, regional, multilateral, and bilateral collaboration in health research, cancer research, and cancer control to advance global cancer research, build expertise, and reduce cancer deaths worldwide.
Cancer Genetics Network CGN  
The Cancer Genetics Network is an infrastructure established by NCI to support collaborative investigations into the genetic basis of cancer susceptibility, explore mechanisms to integrate this new knowledge into medical practice, and identify ways of addressing the associated psychosocial, ethical, legal, and public health issues.
Cooperative Human Tissue Network CHTN  
The Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) was initiated in 1987 by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Diagnosis Program to provide increased access to human tissue for basic and applied science from academia and industry to accelerate the advancement of discoveries in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The CHTN operates on a unique prospective procurement model rather than a banking model and focuses on being user friendly. While a bank collects, processes and stores specimens in a "one-shoe-fits all" approach, the CHTN staff work closely with each investigator to tailor the collection, processing, temporary storage and distribution of tissues in order to meet his/her exact needs and to support his/her research in a timely manner. A diagnostic pathologist reviews each request and can help investigators select the proper tissues and protocols to support their research. All tissues distributed must meet quality assurance/control standards, ensuring investigators a high quality product. The CHTN has pioneered the use of quality assurance/control methods in tissue resources and has trained personnel at other tissue resources in the importance of quality control of tissues used in research.
Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research CIMBTR  
The CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®) is a research collaboration between the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match® and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). The CIBMTR collaborates with the global scientific community to advance hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy worldwide to increase survival and enrich quality of life for patients. The CIBMTR facilitates critical observational and interventional research through scientific and statistical expertise, a large network of transplant centers, and a unique and extensive clinical outcomes database.
Cancer Imaging Program CIP  
The mission of the NCI DCTD Cancer Imaging Program is to promote and support: Cancer-related basic, translational and clinical research in imaging sciences and technology, and integration and application of these imaging discoveries and developments to the understanding of cancer biology and to the clinical management of cancer and cancer risk.
Central Institutional Review Board CIRB  
The Central IRB (CIRB) Initiative is designed to help reduce the administrative burden on local IRBs and investigators while continuing a high level of protection for human research participants.

CIRB enables an investigator to enroll patients into NCI-sponsored clinical trials significantly faster than when employing the traditional method of IRB review.

The CIRB Initiative is sponsored by NCI in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP).

For additional information, visit the NCI Central Institutional Review Board Initiative webpage.

Cancer Information Service CIS  
The Cancer Information Service (CIS) also known as the NCI Contact Center is a free public service. The CIS responds to calls in English and Spanish. Through 14 regional offices, the CIS serves the entire United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network CISNET  
The Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) is a consortium of NCI-sponsored investigators who use statistical modeling to improve our understanding of cancer control interventions in prevention, screening, and treatment and their effects on population trends in incidence and mortality. These models can be used to guide public health research and priorities, and they can aid in the development of optimal cancer control strategies.
Center for Information Technology CIT  
NIH's Center for Information Technology (CIT) provides the NIH community with a secure and reliable IT infrastructure and a variety of IT services to support mission-critical research and administration.
Committee Management Office CMO  
The Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) Committee Management Office (CMO) provides oversight of all NCI-chartered advisory boards and committees, working groups, task forces, and chartered review groups. The CMO also serves as an NIH service center for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), ant the NIH Council of Councils(CoC). The CMO provides policy guidance and assistance to ensure that the NCI and client HHS/NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices operate in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Government in Sunshine Act, and various other policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Quoted from the NCI DEA Annual Report 2015 – "The RAS Initiative".

Committee Management Officer CMO  
NIH CMO: The NIH Committee Management Officer is responsible for managing the implementation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The NIH CMO is responsible for developing and managing all committee management policy and procedure development for dissemination to all NIH IC staff as well as to Federal advisory committee members. The CMO reviews and finalizes all advisory committee charters and nomination slates for approval by the Secretary, DHHS or the Director, NIH and insures an accurate presentation of NIH committee activity on a public website managed by the General Services Administration.

I/C CMO: Each IC has a CMO or uses the resources of a service center to support the committee management function within the Institute or Center. The IC CMO is responsible for developing charters for committees, preparing nomination and appointment documents for membership to committees, providing technical assistance to committee members, providing initial review of conflict of interest disclosures and other responsibilities.

Quoted from the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS  
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

CMS covers 100 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. But coverage isn't our only goal. To achieve a high quality health care system, we also aim for better care at lower costs and improved health.

Community Networks Program CNP  
See: Community Networks Program Centers
Community Networks Program Centers CNPC  
Community Networks Program Centers (CNPC) are partnerships on a large regional- and national-partnership scale. CNPCs continue the work of the Community Networks Program (CNP), which ended in 2010. A CNPC is headquartered at an academic institution or community-based organization and works closely with the local community to identify its cancer disparity problems and cancer prevention and control needs, and to develop culturally sensitive interventions specific to that community.

For additional informantion, visit the Community Networks Program Centers (CNPC) webpage.

Cancer Nanotechnology Platforms Partnerships CNPP  
The Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (CNPPs) ended in 2015. It engaged in directed, product-focused research that aims to translate cutting-edge science and technology into the next generation of diagnostic and therapeutic tools. These platforms served as the core technologies for a wide array of specific applications that will ultimately benefit cancer patients.

For current information about nanotechnology research at NCI, visit the Nanodelivery Systems and Devices Branch website.

See Also: Nanodelivery Systems and Devices Branch
Contracting Officer CO  
"Contracting officer" means a person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the contracting officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the contracting officer. "Administrative contracting officer (ACO)" refers to a contracting officer who is administering contracts. "Termination contracting officer (TCO)" refers to a contracting officer who is settling terminated contracts. A single contracting officer may be responsible for duties in any or all of these areas. Reference in this regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) to administrative contracting officer or termination contracting officer does not —
  • (1) Require that a duty be performed at a particular office or activity; or
  • (2) Restrict in any way a contracting officer in the performance of any duty properly assigned.

Quoted from the §2.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Certificate of Confidentiality COC  
A Certificate of Confidentiality (Certificate) protects the privacy of research participants enrolled in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or other research. With limited exceptions, researchers may not disclose names or any information, documents or biospecimens containing identifiable, sensitive information. The Certificate prohibits disclosure in response to legal demands, such as a subpoena.

Quoted from the NIH Certificates of Confidentiality Kiosk webpage.

Conflict of Interest COI  
Conflict of Interest is a cross-cutting issue that affects many policy areas such as peer review, financial conflict of interest, and responsible conduct of research. There are different uses of this term. It generally means that a competing personal interest could affect, or could appear to affect, an individual's judgment or could cause the individual's impartiality to be questioned. Conflicts of Interest (actual or potential) may arise in the objective review process or in other activities or phases of the financial assistance process. See also Financial Conflict of Interest for a specific definition covering that policy area.

Quoted from the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

For additional information, visit the Managing Conflict of Interest in NIH Peer Review of Grants and Contracts webpage.

Continental United States CONUS  
"Continental United States" means the several States and the District of Columbia, but does not include Alaska or Hawaii. (5 USC §5701.Defintiions(6))

Continental United States (CONUS)–The 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia.(§300–3.1 of the Federal Travel Regulation)

See: Contiguous United States
Contiguous United States CONUS  
"Contiguous United States (CONUS)" means the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia.

Quoted from §2.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

See Also: Continental United States
Contracting Officer's Representative COR  
Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is a Federal employee designated in writing by a contracting officer to act as the contracting officer's representative in monitoring and administering specified aspects of contractor performance after award of a contract or order. In accordance with local procedures, operating divisions (OPDIVs) or staff divisions (STAFFDIVs) may designate CORs for firm fixed-price contracts or orders. COR's responsibilities may include verifying that:
  • (1) The contractor's performance meets the standards set forth in the contract or order;
  • (2) The contractor meets the contract or order's technical requirements by the specified delivery date(s) or within the period of performance; and
  • (3) The contractor performs within cost ceiling stated in the contract or order. CORs must meet the training and certification requirements specified in 301.604.

Quoted from the §302.101(b) of the HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR).

Contracting Officer's Technical Representative COTR  
See: Project Officer
Consumer Price Index CPI  
Measurement of changes in prices of a broad range of consumer items.

Quoted from the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium CPTAC  
The Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) is a comprehensive and coordinated effort to accelerate the understanding of the molecular basis of cancer through the application of robust, quantitative, proteomic technologies and workflows.
Continuing Resolution CR  
An appropriation act that provides budget authority for federal agencies, specific activities, or both to continue in operation when Congress and the President have not completed action on the regular appropriation acts by the beginning of the fiscal year. Enacted in the form of a joint resolution, a continuing resolution is passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President. A continuing resolution may be enacted for the full year, up to a specified date, or until regular appropriations are enacted. A continuing resolution usually specifies a maximum rate at which the obligations may be incurred based on levels specified in the resolution. For example, the resolution may state that obligations may not exceed the current rate or must be the lower of the amounts provided in the appropriation bills passed in the House or Senate. If enacted to cover the entire fiscal year, the resolution will usually specify amounts provided for each appropriation account.

Quoted from the GAO's "A Glossary of Terms Used in the Federal Budget Process".

Cooperative Research And Development Agreement CRADA  
Any agreement between one or more NIH laboratories and one or more non-Federal parties under which the PHS, through its laboratories, provides personnel, services, facilities, equipment, or other resources with or without reimbursement (but not funds to non-Federal parties) and the non-Federal parties provide funds, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, or other resources toward the conduct of specified research or development efforts which are consistent with the missions of the laboratory.

Quoted from the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

Visit the NIH Office of Technology Transfer's Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) webpage for additional information.

Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities CRCHD  
NCI's Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) conducts basic, clinical, translational, and population-based cancer disparities research; trains the next generation of competitive cancer researchers from diverse populations; and creates regional cancer health disparities networks to reduce the unequal burden of cancer in our society.
Cancer Research Network CRN  
The Cancer Research Network is a NCI-funded initiative to support and facilitate cancer research based in non-profit integrated health care delivery settings.
Center for Research Strategy CRS  
NCI's Center for Research Strategy (CRS) develops recommendations for addressing scientific opportunity, identifying funding gaps, and managing funding mechanisms, while monitoring the direction and application of scientific knowledge and resources.
Cancer Research Training Award CRTA  
The NIH Postbac IRTA program (CRTA, Cancer Research Training Award, in the National Cancer Institute) provides recent college graduates who are planning to apply to graduate or professional (medical/dental/pharmacy/nursing/veterinary, etc.) school an opportunity to spend one or two years performing full-time research at the NIH. Postbac IRTAs/CRTAs work side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research.

Quoted from the Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (Postbac IRTA/CRTA) webpage.

Contract Specialist CS  
The NIH Contract Specialist manages, performs, and/or develops policies and procedures for work involving the procurement of supplies, services, construction, or research and development using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; the evaluation of contract price proposals; and the administration or termination and close out of contracts.

Quoted from jobs@NIH.

Cancer Systems Biology Consortium CSBC  
The Cancer Systems Biology Consortium (CSBC) focuses on combining advanced experimental approaches with mathematical modeling and computational methodologies to advance cancer research. The initiative takes an integrative approach to cancer research to complement and expand our current understanding of tumor development and progression across many physical and time scales, with the ultimate goal of improving cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Common Scientific Outline CSO  
The NCI Common Scientific Outline (CSO) is a classification system organized around seven broad areas of scientific interest in cancer research to lay the framework for better coordination among research organizations and funding agencies: cancer biology; cancer etiology; cancer prevention; cancer early detection, diagnosis, and prognosis; cancer treatment; cancer control, survivorship, and outcomes research; and scientific model systems. The NCI research portfolio is organized around the CSO categories.

Quoted from the NCI Thesaurus.

Center for Scientific Review CSR  
The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) is the focal point at NIH for the conduct of initial peer review, the foundation of the NIH grant and award process. The Center carries out peer review of the majority of research and research training applications submitted to the NIH. In addition, the Center serves as the central receipt point for all such Public Health Service (PHS) applications and makes referrals to scientific review groups for scientific and technical merit review of applications and to funding components for potential award. To this end, the Center develops and implements innovative, flexible ways to conduct referral and review for all aspects of science.
Center for Stategic Scientific Intitatives CSSI  
NCI's Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives (CSSI) creates and implements exploratory programs focused on emerging scientific discoveries and innovative technologies to accelerate the pace of cancer research and the translation of research results into new therapies, diagnostics, and preventive agents.

The Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives (CSSI) is an operating entity of the Office of the Director (OD), National Cancer Institute (NCI). The beginning of CSSI dates back to the late 1990s with the creation of the Unconventional Innovation Program (UIP), trans-divisional Integrated Molecular Analysis Technologies program (IMAT), and Cancer Genome Anatomy Program (CGAP). Building upon the success of these initial programs, the concept of an innovation center for NCI began to develop in 2002 to not only capitalize on advances in areas such as genomics and nanotechnology but also to ensure that state-of-the-art foundational resources are broadly available to all cancer researchers. Established in 2004, CSSI serves as a strategic focus for innovative programs that range from exploratory pilot programs to the development of national resources that serve the overall cancer research community. In aggregate, these efforts are designed to accelerate progress toward future of individualized cancer medicine.

Computerized Axial Tomography Scan CT  
A procedure that uses a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create 3-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. A computed tomography scan may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment, or find out how well treatment is working. Also called CAT scan, computerized axial tomography scan, computerized tomography, and CT scan.

Quoted from the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.

Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee CTAC  
The Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee makes recommendations on the NCI-supported national clinical trials enterprise to build a strong scientific infrastructure by bringing together a broadly developed and engaged coalition of stakeholders involved in the clinical trials process. In addition, the Committee makes recommendations regarding the effectiveness of NCI's translational research management and administration program, including needs and opportunities across disease sites, patient populations, translational developmental pathways, and the range of molecular mechanisms responsible for cancer development.
Cancer Training Branch CTB  
The CTB administers training grants, fellowships, research career development awards, and cancer education grants. These comprise:

  • 10 individual training and career development awards for 1 - 6 years given to individuals working at universities and institutions
  • 4 institutional training awards that provide support for fellows and trainees at those institutions
For additional information, visit the Funding for Extramural Cancer Training by the Cancer Training Branch webpage.
Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events CTCAE  
The NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is a descriptive terminology which can be utilized for Adverse Event (AE) reporting. A grading (severity) scale is provided for each AE term.

The CTC/CTCAE Dictionary and Index is a web-base application to assist in locating appropriate adverse event terms.

Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program CTEP  
The mission of the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) is to improve the lives of cancer patients by finding better ways to treat, control and cure cancer. CTEP accomplishes this mission by funding an extensive national program of cancer research and by sponsoring clinical trials to evaluate new anti-cancer agents, with a particular emphasis on translational research to elucidate molecular targets and mechanisms of drug effects.
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program Adverse Event Reporting System CTEP-AERS  
The Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program Adverse Event Reporting System (CTEP-AERS) is a web system that is used for the electronic submission and distribution of expedited adverse event reports for all Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) sponsored clinical trials and Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP) trials.

CTEP-AERS replaces the Adverse Event Expedited Reporting System (AdEERS) and was built using the Cancer Adverse Event Reporting System (caAERS) developed by caBIG®.

For additional information, visit the CTEP-AERS webpage.

Clinical Trials Monitoring Branch CTMB  
The CTMB is responsible for on-site auditing of all clinical trials sponsored by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) / Division of Cancer Treatment (DCTD), NCI and the auditing of selected cancer prevention trials sponsored by the Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP). This includes all trials conducted by the Network Groups/NCORPs and studies conducted at Cancer Centers or other individual institutions which utilize DCTD, NCI-sponsored investigational agents.

For additional information, visit the CTMB.

Clinical and Translational Research Operations Committee CTROC  
An internal NCI advisory committee composed of representatives from NCI divisions, offices, and centers involved in NCI-supported clinical trials and translational research. The committee reviews and prioritizes NCI-supported clinical trials, correlative science programs, and translational research.
Clinical Trials Reporting Program CTRP  
NCI's Clinical Trials Reporting Program maintains a comprehensive database of information on all NCI-supported interventional clinical trials open to accrual as of January 1, 2009. This database, also referred to as CTRP, helps identify gaps and duplicate studies in clinical research, facilitates clinical trial prioritization, and standardizes trial data capture and sharing.

NCI expects Clinical Trials Reporting Program (CTRP) registration for all NCI-supported interventional clinical trials open to accrual as of January 1, 2009.

Per NCI CTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCI cannot submit data to ClinicalTrials.gov on behalf of NCI awardees.

See: Clinical Trials Reporting
Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program CTSA  
Under the leadership of NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS), the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program supports a national network of medical research institutions — called hubs — that work together to improve the translational research process to get more treatments to more patients more quickly. The hubs collaborate locally and regionally to catalyze innovation in training, research tools and processes.
Cancer Trials Support Unit CTSU  
The Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) is a service of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designed to facilitate access to NCI-funded clinical trials for qualified clinical sites and to support the management and conduct of those clinical trials.
Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences CURE  
The Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities' (CRCHD) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) program offers unique training and career development opportunities to enhance and increase diversity in the cancer and cancer health disparities research workforce. The CURE program identifies promising candidates from high school through junior investigator levels, and provides them with a continuum of competitive funding opportunities.

The CURE-funded training opportunities are designed to:

  • Support high school and undergraduate students interested in cancer and cancer health disparities research to enter the research field, work directly with scientists and community leaders, gain laboratory experience, and develop research skills.
  • Assist graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. degree, combined M.D./Ph.D. degree, or other formally combined health professional degree and research doctoral degree to obtain funding for cancer or cancer health disparities research.
  • Facilitate the transition of postdoctoral scholars pursuing a career in cancer and cancer health disparities research into becoming funded investigators.
  • Support junior investigators working in cancer and cancer health disparities research who are seeking research opportunities in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences that lead to research independence.

For additional information, visit the NCI CRCHD's Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences website.