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NCI Advisory Boards, Committees, and Review Groups

As the federal government’s lead agency for cancer research, NCI relies on advisory committees to provide objective and expert advice on coordination of the National Cancer Program, NCI scientific priorities, development of major extramural program initiatives, future direction of NCI’s intramural and clinical trials programs, and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.

These advisory committees are formal bodies that are established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972. The membership and activities of these advisory bodies are coordinated by NCI’s Division of Extramural Activities.

NCI advisory board members seated around a conference table.

Joint meeting of the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors and the National Cancer Advisory Board.

Credit: National Cancer Institute

List of Advisory Boards and Groups

  • President's Cancer Panel

    The President’s Cancer Panel monitors the activities of the National Cancer Program and reports to the President of the United States on progress, efficacy, and opportunities for improvement.

  • National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB)

    The National Cancer Advisory Board advises and assists the NCI Director on the activities of the National Cancer Program, including the second-level review of grants and cooperative agreements for research and training.

  • Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC)

    The Board of Scientific Counselors reviews and evaluates basic science research programs conducted at NCI’s Center for Cancer Research (CCR) and clinical sciences and epidemiology at NCI's CCR and the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, including evaluation of the performance and productivity of tenured and tenure-track principal investigators, senior scientists, and senior clinicians.

  • Clinical Trials & Translational Research Advisory Committee (CTAC)

    The Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee makes recommendations on the NCI-supported national clinical trials enterprise to build a strong scientific infrastructure by bringing together a broadly developed and engaged coalition of stakeholders involved in the clinical trials process.

  • Initial Review Groups (IRG)

    IRGs advise and make recommendations on the scientific and technical merit of applications for grants-in-aid for research, research training, research-related grants and cooperative agreements, and contract proposals for projects in the areas of cancer causation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

  • Special Emphasis Panel (SEP)

    The Special Emphasis Panel provides concept review of proposed contract or grant solicitations and reviews grant and cooperative agreement applications and contract proposals for research projects and for research and training activities in broad areas of basic and clinical cancer research.

  • Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy (OFACP)

    OFACP develops policies and provides guidance and resources to the public, advisory committee members, Congress, the President, and those managing federal advisory committees at the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, and other federal agencies.

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