Meaning of NCI: This abbreviation identifies the primary United States federal agency responsible for conducting and funding cancer research, training, and public health information.

Definition of NCI

NCI is the abbreviation for the National Cancer Institute, a component of the National Institutes of Health within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It serves as the principal federal agency responsible for cancer research within the United States.

NCI conducts research directly through its own scientists and also funds cancer research carried out at universities, hospitals, and other research institutions across the country, spanning basic laboratory science, clinical trials, and studies of cancer prevention and screening.

Beyond funding and conducting research, NCI supports training for cancer researchers, coordinates national cancer related research efforts, and provides information intended to help patients, families, and health professionals understand cancer and current research findings.

Also known as

National Cancer Institute

Used in a sentence

The clinical trial was sponsored in part by NCI.

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Good to know

NCI functions as both a funder and a direct conductor of cancer research, a dual role that distinguishes it from organizations that only provide funding or only conduct research themselves.

For learning, not diagnosis. This glossary provides general educational information and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you may be experiencing a medical emergency, contact local emergency services.