Welcome to the Radiation Research Program

The Radiation Research Program (RRP) is responsible for management of NCI’s support for research across the radiation sciences spanning clinical trials, combined modality radiotherapy, experimental therapeutics, radiation treatment planning, radiobiology, physics and technology.  The RRP establishes priorities, allocates resources, and evaluates the effectiveness of radiation research being conducted by NCI grantees. RRP staff represent the program to NCI leadership and conduct outreach at scientific meetings on matters related to radiation research. The RRP coordinates its activities with other radiation research programs at NCI, NIH, other Federal agencies, and national and international research organizations, and serves as a focal point within NIH for extramural investigators concerned with radiation research in the treatment of cancers.

RRP functions are closely integrated and are administratively organized into two branches: The Radiotherapy Development Branch (RDB) and the Clinical Radiation Oncology Branch (CROB).

As part of ongoing efforts to stimulate research in radiotherapy and radiation biology, the RRP supports basic, translational, and clinical research and technology development in the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) by:

• Providing expertise regarding the grant process of NIH to investigators and potential grantees who perform cutting-edge research with radiation and other forms of energy;
• Helping to lead the radiotherapy research community in establishing priorities for the future direction of radiation research, including interagency cooperation and collaboration, often involving strategic workshops and reports of scientific progress and opportunities;
• Developing and promoting collaborative efforts among extramural investigators for both preclinical and clinical investigations;
• Working with professional societies in the US and internationally who address research and technology development for topics within the RRP portfolio;
• Creating unique models and capabilities to help and mentor medically underserved communities in the United States and worldwide to access cancer clinical trials;
• Development of targeted funding initiatives and evaluation of the effectiveness of radiation research being conducted by NCI grantees;
• Advising the NCI-funded clinical trials groups and the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) regarding scientific priorities and quality assurance in clinical studies with radiotherapy;
• Through approach-based and cancer-specific Working Groups, providing a collaborative networking platform for extramural investigators in conjunction with research societies and the NRG Oncology Group to disseminate information, establish guidelines, and develop novel combined modality therapies;
• Serving as the NCI’s liaison and advisor on the mitigation of radiation injury to normal tissue and the development of biomarkers for radiation injury in programs addressing radiological and nuclear terrorism in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, including the Biodefense Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Department of Health and Human Services.