The NYU Cancer Institute (NYUCI) seeks to coordinate the efforts of the NYU community in a concerted effort to advance the conquest of cancer. The NYUCI recognizes that a productive cancer center dedicated to meeting both its scientific objectives as well as the clinical needs of patients requires the full participation of a wide group of basic and clinical investigators, practicing physicians and other important health care providers. A critical component of the NYUCI is the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) that is focused on establishing scientific programs whose objectives seek to understand the origins of human cancer at a most fundamental level, and to use this information to prevent, treat and/or ease the burden of cancer. Therefore CCSG members are expected to contribute directly to meeting the scientific objectives of the NYUCI.

The benefits of membership are substantial and the NCI designation increases visibility of individual members. Specific benefits include: 1) access to collaborative scientific programs and disease groups, 2) priority for NYUCI shared resources, 3) eligibility for developmental pilot funds, administrative support and clinical trials resources, 4) eligibility for space controlled the NYUCI, 5) notification of all NYUCI sponsored seminars and meetings, and 6) listing on the NYUCI website.

CCSG membership is granted initially based on potential to contribute directly to meeting the scientific objectives of CCSG programs. Ongoing membership is granted based on tangible contributions. Important measures of successful contribution to the CCSG by members include the conduct of cancer focused basic laboratory investigation, correlative biology studies linking laboratory evaluation of human tumors with clinical outcome variables, the design of innovative therapeutic protocols based on insights developed in the laboratory, population based studies designed to determine risk and/or assessing prevention approaches, and studies dedicated to understanding barriers to effective cancer care. Therefore obligations of membership include: 1) activation collaboration in basic, translational or clinical research of the NYUCI, 2) participation in Disease Group meetings (see description below) designed to optimize patient care and promote clinical/translational cancer research, 3) regular involvement in educational activities of the NYUCI, and 4) joining NYUCI members enhancing the visibility of the NYUCI.

Another very important measure of success of the CCSG is inter-programmatic and intra-programmatic collaborations. Each program strives to enhance this goal through regular program meetings, seminars and retreats that bring together investigators with shared interests as well as complementary experiences and strengths. Members are expected to participate actively in these activities. Some hallmarks of success in creating a highly interactive environment include: 1) co-authorship on publications, 2) the development of clinical protocols evaluating promising new therapeutic approaches developed in NYUCI laboratories, and 3) submission and granting of SPORE, Program Project, and Training Grants.

Membership in the NYUCI is open to all members of the New York University full-time faculty. All schools, institutes and centers of New York University are eligible to participate, as are the clinical affiliates of the NYU School of Medicine. These include the facilities of the NYU Hospitals Center, Bellevue Hospital Center, and the NY Harbor Veterans Administration Medical Center. Based on CCSG guidelines two types of membership have been developed.