Fast Facts About American Cancer Society Research

The American Cancer Society has two research divisions – one that consists of a large staff of cancer researchers who conduct their own studies (Intramural Research) and one that employs a small group of top cancer experts who oversee the program that provides funding to researchers at other institutions (Extramural grant program).

The American Cancer Society grant program provides funding and support for external researchers as well as training for healthcare professionals. The grant program has a strong focus on bringing fresh minds to the cancer problem. ACS only funds the best ideas – regardless of cancer type – meaning it does not predetermine a designated amount of research funding for any particular cancer type. ACS believes this is the best way to advance the field of cancer research. 

New grants are usually awarded 2 times per year. At any one point in time, the Society directs donated dollars to fund more than 800 grantees throughout the country and across cancer types.  

Forty-nine researchers the American Cancer Society has funded have won the Nobel Prize.

About 68% of the directors of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers are former American Cancer Society grantees. 

Every year since 1951 American Cancer Society researchers have published Cancer Facts & Figures, the definitive source for projections of the number of cancer cases and deaths expected in each state and in the nation in the current year.

American Cancer Society researchers have been conducting long-term studies consisting of millions of Americans since the 1950s. The goal of this research is to follow people over long periods of time to see who develops cancer and why. These studies have led to major cancer prevention breakthroughs, such as the links between smoking and cancer and obesity and cancer.

The American Cancer Society regularly reports on the latest in cancer research funded by our donors, including the work of current American Cancer Society researchers and grantees.