CMBB Mission and Goals

It is clear that the success of research designed to reduce the disproportionate burden of cancer incidence and mortality in many underrepresented minority populations will depend substantially on the presence of a cadre of culturally sensitive, well-trained competitive underrepresented minority researchers. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the CMBB is to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minorities participating as competitive NCI/NIH-funded cancer researchers. To this end, the CMBB is relying on three main strategies:

I. To broaden the participation of underrepresented minority individuals in cancer-related research and training activities while encouraging them to become independent/competitive cancer researchers. This approach, called Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences for Underrepresented Minorities (CURE) Program, begins by offering introductory science experiences at the high school level and continuing progressively and selectively to the production of well-trained underrepresented minority scientists conducting independent cancer research.

II. To raise the competitive research capacity of Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). This concept focuses on Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs: Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs], Hispanic-Serving Institutions [HSIs], and Tribal Institutions (e.g., Colleges) serving Native American populations) and NCI-designated Cancer Centers and is called the Minority Institution/ Cancer Center Partnership Program (MI/CCP). The long-range goals of the MI/CCP program are to increase the cancer research capabilities at the MSIs; to increase the number of underrepresented minority scientists engaged in cancer research and other related cancer activities; and to improve the effectiveness of NCI-designated Cancer Centers in developing and sustaining activities focused on the disproportionate incidence, morbidity and mortality in underrepresented minority populations.

III. To become a national resource and help raise the level of the effectiveness of other programs and organizations inside and outside the NCI/NIH that are sincerely interested in increasing the number of competitive underrepresented minority individuals and institutions participating in the cancer research enterprise.