NFCR works to accelerate the pace of cancer research by recognizing innovative ideas while they are still in their infancy, and providing scientists with the initial funding to substantiate their ideas. To maximize the productivity of its cancer research programs, NFCR established an international network of Research Discovery Centers, each of which is directed by a highly accomplished cancer research leader. Together, these Centers constitute our “Laboratory Without Walls”—promoting the sharing of ideas and information across research institutions and engaging top research minds from a wide range of scientific disciplines.
Scientists in these Centers are connected to more than 40 lead investigators in other NFCR-funded institutions. These are the NFCR Fellows and NFCR Project Directors. Together, NFCR’s scientists constitute a “research collaborative” working on cancer from diverse perspectives and actively sharing ideas and information with one another.
There are currently nine NFCR Research Discovery Centers worldwide supported by the Foundation. Scientists from diverse research disciplines are encouraged to collaborate on their research efforts and share information to optimize progress. NFCR commits five years of funding to each Center, with the option of extending that support.