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New AACI Report Highlights Importance of State Investment in Cancer Research
In collaboration with Dant Advocacy, AACI has released a new report highlighting the critical role that state governments play in advancing cancer research, supporting innovation, and improving patient outcomes nationwide. State-Funded Cancer Research documents the impacts of state investments, which include strengthening local economies, supporting workforce development, and expanding access to clinical trials.
The report comes at a pivotal moment. When AACI members were surveyed by Dant in 2025, cancer centers faced significant disruptions following federal funding reductions, including a proposed 37-percent cut to the National Cancer Institute budget; these cuts underscored the need for diversified and sustained investment in research.
State budget data bolstered the survey responses provided by AACI members. Texas, for example, invests more than $300 million annually in cancer research through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), generating over $11.6 billion in follow-on funding and supporting hundreds of clinical trials and research recruits. North Carolina’s University Cancer Research Fund has demonstrated a strong return on investment, helping to launch startups, attract federal funding, and expand the state’s biomedical workforce. Newer efforts, such as Florida’s Cancer Innovation Fund, are also accelerating high-impact, time-limited research projects and fostering collaboration across institutions.
State funding often serves as a catalyst for additional investment. AACI members consistently reported that state support enhances their competitiveness for federal grants, enables recruitment of top researchers, and provides the infrastructure necessary to sustain cutting-edge research programs. The findings also highlight uneven investment across the country. Many states provide limited or no dedicated cancer research funding, offering opportunities for growth.
The report builds on AACI’s broader advocacy efforts to equip cancer centers with tools and data to engage policymakers. By highlighting successful state models and real-world outcomes, AACI aims to support members in making the case for increased state-level investment in cancer research. As federal funding pressures persist, strengthening state partnerships will be essential to ensuring continued progress in cancer discovery, innovation, and care.