CPRIT awards more than $66 million to UT institutions for cancer research and prevention

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) announced it has awarded over $142 million in grants to fund innovative research and recruit top talent to the Lone Star state. Among the 24 organizations awarded grants are 11 University of Texas institutions that collectively received more than $66 million.

“This investment by the state of Texas in the fight against cancer is extraordinary,” Chancellor James B. Milliken said. “This funding further supports the scientists and researchers at UT institutions across the state who have made it their life’s work to find better ways to prevent, treat and cure these devastating diseases.”

UT Rio Grande Valley received its first CPRIT award—a $2.5 million grant for an Integrated Cancer Research Core facility, the only specialized center of its kind within 250 miles. The facility will support the expansion of research and medical training to provide greater access to cancer diagnostics and treatments in the region.

Other “Core Facility Support Awards,” which fund infrastructure, technology and equipment that support cutting-edge cancer research, were granted to UT Austin, UT San Antonio, UTHealth Houston, UT Health San Antonio, UT Medical Branch, and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

One of two Texas Regional Excellence in Cancer Awards was awarded to UT El Paso, in partnership with UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, to support research into Hispanic cancer disparities. The award supports cancer research at institutions that are located more than 100 miles from traditional cancer research institutions.

Two of three first-time grant awards to expand access to clinical trials were awarded to UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, which intends to build a clinical trial network, and UT Southwestern Medical Center, which seeks to increase the number and diversity of Texans participating in cancer clinical trials.

UT Southwestern Medical Center 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. UT Southwestern and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center each received $6 million in “First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty” grants to recruit promising researchers pursuing their first faculty appointment.

“Early Clinical Investigator Awards” were awarded to cancer physicians at UT Health San Antonio, UT MD Anderson and UT Southwestern. The grants help physicians early in their academic careers develop clinical research and investigation skills.

UT Arlington, UT Austin, UT Dallas, UT El Paso, UTHealth Houston, UT Health San Antonio, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT Medical Branch, and UT Southwestern received grants for “high impact/high risk” research projects. UT Austin, UT Medical Branch and UT Southwestern also received grants for prevention projects.

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 $2.9 billion—including about $1.5 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 $23.4 billion (FY 2022), 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. 4 for most U.S. patents granted in 2020, 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)