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CPRIT awards more than $31 million to UT institutions to recruit and train top cancer researchers
On May 19, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) announced it had awarded 20 academic research grants and five prevention grants totaling over $69 million—including more than $31 million awarded to four University of Texas institutions—to advance cancer research and prevention efforts.
UT Austin, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center were each awarded grants to recruit outstanding cancer research talent to Texas. Research training grants were awarded to UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT Southwestern and UTHealth in Houston.
UT Austin was one of only two organizations statewide to receive a $4 million “Rising Stars” grant to recruit an early-stage investigator who already has made exceptional accomplishments in cancer research. In addition, UT Austin received $2 million for a “First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty” grant, which is awarded to recruit promising researchers pursuing their first faculty appointment. MD Anderson also received a $2 million “First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty” award, while UT Southwestern was awarded $8 million for these potential recruits, known as CPRIT Scholars.
Research training grants are awarded to specialized training programs that are preparing the next generation of physician scientists. UTHealth was awarded two of these grants, totaling nearly $8 million, while MD Anderson was awarded $4 million and UT Southwestern received more than $3.7 million for research training programs at their institutions.
CPRIT was established after Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2007 authorizing the state to issue $3 billion in bonds to fund groundbreaking cancer research and prevention programs and services. In November 2019, Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment to provide an additional $3 billion to CPRIT for a total $6 billion investment in cancer research and prevention.
Today, CPRIT is the largest state research investment in the history of the United States and the second largest cancer research and prevention program in the world. More than $2.7 billion—including over $1.3 billion to UT institutions—has been awarded to support research and programs that benefit Texans in every area of the state.
About The University of Texas System
For more than 130 years, The University of Texas System has been committed to improving the lives of Texans and people all over the world through education, research and health care. With 13 institutions, an enrollment of more than 243,000 students and an operating budget of $21.7 billion (FY 2021), the UT System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produce more than 64,000 graduates annually and award more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees and more than half of its medical degrees. Collectively, UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics accounted for more than 8.6 million outpatient visits and almost 1.8 million hospital days in 2020. UT institutions also are among the most innovative in the world, collectively ranking No. 3 for most U.S. patents granted in 2019, and the UT System is No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the nation in federal research expenditures. The UT System also is one of the largest employers in Texas, with more than 21,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academies – and more than 85,000 health care professionals, researchers and support staff.
News Contact Information
Karen Adler: kadler@utsystem.edu • 512-499-4360 (direct) • 210-912-8055 (cell)
