A Milestone for Our Mission: Fox Chase Cancer Center Reaffirms National Leadership with Renewal of Prestigious NCI Grant

In a landmark moment that underscores our national leadership in cancer research and care, Fox Chase Cancer Center has received a five-year renewal of our Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). With this renewal comes the reaffirmation of Fox Chase’s elite status, securing our place among just 57 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers nationwide.

Continuing Our Legacy

This five-year renewal announced on May 21 marks both a continuation and a celebration of our legacy: Fox Chase was the first institution in Philadelphia to earn the NCI’s Comprehensive designation back in 1974, and has maintained it ever since—now for more than 50 consecutive years.

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 Health and Temple University, and the steadfast vision of our Board.”

A Prestigious Foundation

Known as the "Core Grant," the CCSG is widely recognized as the most prestigious grant awarded to academic cancer centers. It serves as a foundation for scientific and clinical innovation, enabling research across the full spectrum—from basic science to clinical trials to population health—while supporting the infrastructure needed to deliver on that mission.

This is arguably the single most important grant held by our institution,” said Jonathan Chernoff, MD, PhD, Cancer Center Director. “It is a rigorous validation of the strength and impact of our work and affirms our place among the nation’s leading cancer centers.”

The renewal followed a comprehensive review process that spanned more than a year. After submitting a detailed application in January 2024, Fox Chase hosted a site visit in April for a review team. The NCI’s review process is rigorous, and the praise in its preliminary report was resounding: Fox Chase is “superb,” “transformed,” and “on an upward trajectory.” Official notification of the grant launched a new five-year funding cycle, setting the stage for continued leadership in cancer research at FCCC.

Philadelphia’s Cancer Center

The leadership of both Uzzo and Chernoff emphasized that this moment belongs to the entire Fox Chase community. From the faculty and staff to the institutional partners and board members, each contributed to a milestone that not only affirms the Center’s past achievements but also signals a bold path forward.

This is something we achieved together,” Uzzo said. “We are Philadelphia’s Cancer Center—and we are just getting started.”