PHILADELPHIA (May 22, 2025) — Fox Chase Cancer Center, part of the Temple Health, has received a five-year renewal of its prestigious Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), reaffirming its designation as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—an elite status held by only 57 centers nationwide.
“This achievement is the culmination of countless hours of preparation and immeasurable dedication to our mission,” said Robert Uzzo, MD, MBA, FACS, President and CEO of Fox Chase. “It reflects the extraordinary efforts of our faculty and staff; the vital support of our colleagues across Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine and the broader health system; the steadfast vision of our board of directors; and the strength of our collaborative scientific and clinical environment.”
Fox Chase received official notification of the grant renewal from the NCI on May 21, 2025, officially launching the new five-year funding cycle. The CCSG—often referred to as the “Core Grant”—is a cornerstone of support for cancer centers, enabling innovation across basic, translational, clinical, and population science while sustaining the infrastructure that drives multidisciplinary cancer research and care.
Fox Chase Cancer Center was one of the first institutions to receive cancer research funding from the NCI in 1962 when the Institute for Cancer Research received its first Cancer Center Support Grant. The Institute merged with the American Oncologic Hospital in 1974 to become Fox Chase Cancer Center and that same year received a Core Grant under the provisions of the National Cancer Act of 1971. Fox Chase was the first NCI designated comprehensive cancer center in Philadelphia, and has maintained continuous designation for more than 50 years.
“The Core Grant is arguably the single most important grant held by our institution because it distinguishes us as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center,” said Jonathan Chernoff, MD, PhD, Cancer Center Director at Fox Chase. “This designation is a rigorous validation of the strength and impact of our work in cancer prevention, treatment, and discovery.”
The successful renewal followed a comprehensive review process:
- January 25, 2024: Submission of the CCSG renewal application, highlighting major institutional progress
- April 30, 2024: Site visit by the NCI Review Committee, hosted by Fox Chase and Temple Health leadership
- May 22, 2024: Receipt of the NCI reviewers’ preliminary report, which praised the Center’s efforts as “superb,” “transformed,” and “on an upward trajectory”
- May 21, 2025: Receipt of official notification of the grant renewal, beginning a new five-year funding cycle
This milestone affirms Fox Chase’s continued leadership in advancing cancer research and delivering exceptional care.
“This is something we achieved together,” said Uzzo. “We are Philadelphia’s Cancer Center.”