MINORITY INSTITUTION/CENTER CENTER PARTNERSHIP (MI/CCP)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is the MI/CC Program?

Three mechanisms created to support collaborations and partnerships between Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and NCI-designated Cancer Centers to increase the involvement of scientists in minority institutions in cancer research, to expand training and career development opportunities for minority scientists and to increase the effectiveness of Cancer Centers in developing collaborative projects and programs that directly address and have the potential to reduce disproportionate cancer incidence and mortality in minority populations.

2. Who is eligible to apply?

Applications will only be accepted from MSIs, either in the United States or in territories under U.S. jurisdiction, and from institutions that are NCI?designated Cancer Centers or that can demonstrate organized, highly integrated research efforts focused on cancer.

3. What is an MSI?

An MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) is one in which students from ethnic minority groups, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives or Pacific Islanders, comprise a significant proportion of the enrollments and which has a commitment to the special encouragement of ethnic minority faculty, students, and investigators. The institutions listed in MOLIS are either HBCUs, HSIs, or Tribal Colleges and are MSIs, however, other institutions that fulfill the definition listed above are eligible.

4. Are Tribal Colleges eligible?

Yes. It is envisioned that Tribal Colleges would apply for P20 grants to develop collaborative cancer training programs for undergraduate students that would expose them to cancer research and curricula.

5. Are Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) eligible to apply?

Yes. HBCUs and HSIs with medical schools are envisioned to apply for U56 and U54 grants, while HBCUs and HSIs with less developed research infrastructure would apply for U56 and P20 grants.

6. What do you mean by institutions that demonstrate organized, highly integrated research efforts focused on cancer?

The institution must have a credible, major historical effort focused on cancer research activities and not just a good generic cancer activity in every area. Examples of institutions (medical; dental; nursing; public health) are those with P20 (Cancer Center Planning Grants).

7. How can I obtain more information about NCI-designated Cancer Centers?

http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancercenters/centerslist.html

8. How many RFAs are associated with the MI/CCP Program? And how can I obtain them?

P20: Planning Grant for Minority Institution/Cancer Center Collaboration:

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-03-009.html

U56: Cooperative Planning Grant for Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership:

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-03-008.html

U54: Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership:

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-03-010.html

9. What are the target areas for development in the RFAs?

Cancer Research
Cancer Training and Career Development
Cancer Education
Cancer Outreach

10. What is the difference between a project and a program?

A project involves cancer research. Programs involve either cancer training and career development, cancer education or cancer research.

11. What is the difference between a cooperative planning grant (U54) and a planning grant (P20)?

The P20 planning grant does not require substantial involvement of NCI staff during the term of the award.

12. How many collaborations/partnerships can I apply for?

P20 - you may apply for up to two P20 grants
U56 - you may apply for only one U56 grant
U54 - you may apply for only one U54 grant

13. Can I collaborate/partner with more than one cancer center/MSI?

Yes.

14. Can I submit a P20 Planning Grant to develop a program in cancer education only?

No. You can only submit a P20 application to develop collaborative projects in cancer research or programs in cancer research training and career development and cancer education.

15. Can I submit a U56 Cooperative Grant that focuses only on cancer research?

No. You must have cancer research projects and programs in at least one of the other target areas.

16. What kind of institutional support must I have for U56 and U54 applications?

The institutional leadership (Dean, President) should include a detailed statement of their long-term commitment by noting specific resources that will be dedicated to this effort.

17. Who are the Principal Investigators?

There must be Co-Principal Investigators. One from the Cancer Center and one from the Minority-Serving Institution.

18. Can I apply as an individual investigator?

No. You must have a collaborator or a partner from either a Cancer Center (if you are from a Minority-Serving Institution) or from an MSI (if your are from a Cancer Center).

19. Can I perform cancer research in any area of cancer?

Yes, if the research is being performed at the MSI. Cancer research performed at the MSI can be in any area of cancer research.

No, if the research is being performed at the Cancer Center. The research performed at the Cancer Center must be in an area that disproportionately effects minority populations.

20. Is there support for infrastructure?

Yes. Only in the U56 and U54 grants.

21. How many years of support? And how much?

P20 - 3 years; $250,000 direct cost per year
U56 - 5 years; $500,000 direct cost per year
U54 - 5 years; $ 1.5 million direct cost per year

22. When are applications due for the next submission?

Letters of intent are due July 8, 2002.

Applications are due August 26, 2002.

23. Will there be other opportunities to apply?

Yes.

24. Will there be other MI/CCP Program Technical Assistance Workshops?

Yes. Each year approximately 2-3 months before the application receipt date.