The White House announced on Monday, Feb. 1, that it will make a proposal to spend $1 billion for Vice President Joe Biden's National Cancer Moonshot project.
The Obama administration aims to use funding will be used to hasten the progress in cancer research and achieve the administration's ambitious goals of developing new ways to diagnose and treat the disease.
Moonshot Funding
The Moonshot project will start with $195 in cancer activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the fiscal year 2016.
For 2017, the administration will persist to ask Congress for $755 million worth of mandatory funds for new activities both at the NIH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA).
That adds up to $950 million over two years. The White House did not immediately explain where the remaining $50 million would come from. Administration officials previewed the plan for reporters Monday, but would not speak on the record.
Lastly, the Departments of Defense and the Veterans Affairs will further invest in cancer research. The agencies will fund various centers of excellence institutions that have particular cancer focuses. These centers are performing large studies over prolonged periods to help detect risk factors and subsequently improve treatment.
"Together, these investments represent an initial down-payment on the National Cancer Moonshot," the press release reads.
Where Will The Fundings Go?
Under the Department of Health and Human Services, the proposed investments will provide forefront research opportunities in different fields, which include prevention and vaccine development, early detection, immunotherapy and combination therapy, genomic analysis, enhanced data sharing, along with a virtual Oncology Center of Excellence.
Part of the funds will also go to the Vice President's Exceptional Opportunities in Cancer Research Fund, which hopes to unite all parties, break down barriers and share new ideas through collaborative work.
Working Together
The Obama administration is looking at working more closely with the Congress to begin the new stage of investments and give resources to amplify progress.
Vice President Biden once said that the administration will do everything to provide support and pave the way for progress as it calls on patients, families and scientists all across the U.S. to be a part of this endeavor.
The Cancer Moonshot project was first announced by President Barack Obama in his 2016 State of the Union Address. He called on Vice president Biden to take the lead in this next generation standard of care for cancer patients.
Photo: Tom Lohdan | Flickr
