The National Cancer Institute oversees the U.S. National Cancer Program and is also involved in the promotion of global health and cancer control. The National Cancer Act of 1971 directed the NCI to collect, analyze and disseminate research on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, to share cancer research information globally, and to support research being conducted by highly qualified foreign nationals outside the United States. The landmark law also mandated that NCI support collaborative research involving American and foreign participants, and support training of American scientists abroad and foreign scientists in the United States.
NCI’s spending in the developing world
During its 2006 fiscal year, NCI’s international spending, including intramural research and training, was approximately $80 million. This included support and lab supplies for visiting scientists.
In a typical year, NCI has about 80 foreign grants and 10 contracts to such countries as Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Netherlands, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
During the 2006 fiscal year, NCI, foreign grants totaled $24.5 million, and foreign contracts totaled an additional $3.7 million.
