Stark-Watzinger: We want to advance cancer research in new ways
BMBF announces new funding approaches and expansion of the NCT
In the run-up to this year's World Cancer Day, Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger today presented new funding approaches for cancer research at the Future X Change forum of the National Decade Against Cancer.
Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger explains: "Every year, around 500,000 people are newly diagnosed with cancer in Germany - and the trend is rising. Our best chance in the fight against cancer is excellent research. That is why we want to advance cancer research in new ways: Firstly, in future we will be promoting new approaches to risk-adapted prevention and early detection of cancer in a public-private partnership with German Cancer Aid. Together, we are providing 14 million euros for this purpose. Secondly, we are launching a 'Grand Challenge' to tackle the major unresolved issues in cancer research in a more targeted manner. We are looking for new, innovative approaches, also with new partners. And thirdly, we are now starting to expand the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT). There will be four new locations in addition to Heidelberg and Dresden: Berlin, Cologne/Essen, Tübingen/Stuttgart-Ulm and Würzburg with the partners Erlangen, Regensburg and Augsburg. With their help, new research findings will lead to better therapies more quickly. This is transfer that saves lives."
Background
The National Decade Against Cancer, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in 2019, brings together the key players in German cancer research in an alliance for the first time. In addition to the BMBF, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Aid, this also includes two patient advocacy organizations. Together with other stakeholders, they form the strategy group, which comprises a total of 17 partner organizations and acts as a driving force. The Chairman of the Strategy Group of the National Decade Against Cancer is the Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMBF, Mario Brandenburg.
One focus of the National Decade Against Cancer is the expansion of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) from two to six locations in Germany. The expansion is being funded by the federal government and the host states in a 90:10 ratio.
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