An official website of the United States government
EGRP Cancer Epidemiology News
April 2026
- Existing Biospecimen Collections Can Open Doors to New Cancer Research
- Funding Announcements
- Highlighted Topics
- Grants Policy Notices
- Requests for Information
- Research Resources
- NCI & NIH News
Existing Biospecimen Collections Can Open Doors to New Cancer Research
As cancer research becomes increasingly multidisciplinary, the ability of researchers, especially trainees and early stage investigators, to access data and specimens from multiple sources can be key to success.
Cohort studies in particular, such as the NCI-supported cohorts in the Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program’s (EGRP) grant portfolio, can provide opportunities for these types of collaborations.
For example, the Colon Cancer Family Registry
, provided samples that aided in the generation of premarket accuracy data for an automated system (the Idylla™ Test) for determining microsatellite instability status in colorectal cancer patients to screen for Lynch Syndrome.
As another example, data and resources from two prospective cohort studies, the Black Women’s Health Study and Southern Community Cohort Study, enabled research into the role of the oral microbiomein pancreatic cancer in African Americans. Leveraging data from these studies allowed analysis of a rare cancer in an understudied population.
How can I find and access existing data, biospecimens, and potential collaboration partners for my cancer epidemiology study?
EGRP maintains a web page with information and links to biospecimen resources that may be of interest to cancer epidemiologists. Two databases that are supported by NCI to facilitate sharing of data and biospecimen resources and findability of data (according to FAIR principles) include:- Cancer Epidemiology Descriptive Cohort Database (CEDCD): This database allows users to search by “Biospecimen Count” and filter on the epidemiologic cohort, cancer site, and biospecimen type.
- Specimen Resource Locator (SRL): This resource allows users to search by specimen type and cancer site/histology, and filter on “Specimen Annotations” to identify collections with the desired criteria.
Investigators are advised to check both databases because they may contain different studies. Access to data or biospecimens is dependent on procedures outlined for each individual study or resource, and you are encouraged to reach out to the individual study/cohort.
How can I publicize that biospecimens from my study are available to other researchers?
- If the biospecimen resource/collection is part of a cancer epidemiology cohort, the biospecimen information, including details regarding how to access the biospecimens, can be entered into the CEDCD. Even if your resource is in the CEDCD, it is also beneficial to list the resource in the SRL since the databases tend to attract different audiences, as well as have different study and biospecimen search criteria.
- Any biospecimen resource/collection (it does not need to be funded by NCI) can be entered into the SRL. Repository managers of domestic and publicly funded repositories that wish to make biospecimens more widely available to the cancer research community may submit an inquiry to add their repository to the SRL collections.
Please contact Dr. Danielle Carrick with any biospecimen-related questions.
Funding Announcements
Highlighted Topics
- Advancing Childhood and Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Research
- Computational Modeling of Complex Processes Across Biological Scales
- GLP-1s: Implications for Nutritional Status and Metabolic Health Outcomes
- Research on Chatbots and their Usage
- Training and Career Development in Dissemination and Implementation Science
Grants Policy Notices
- NOT-OD-26-064, Update of NIH Late Application Submission Policy and End of Continuous Submission
- NOT-OD-26-066, Applicability of Transparency Act Subaward Reporting Requirements
- NOT-OD-26-067, Implementation of Changes for Basic Experimental Studies with Humans
Requests for Information
- Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Comments and Suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031 (responses due by May 26, 2026)
- Provide Feedback to Inform a Draft Policy for Sharing Summary Level Study Results (responses due May 25, 2026)
- A webinar for this request took place on April 27, 2026. A recording will be posted on the NIH Videocast website when available.
- NOT-RM-26-003, Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Input on Future Directions for a Somatic Mosaicism Common Fund Program (responses due by May 30, 2026)
- Sequencing Strategies for Population and Cancer Epidemiology Studies (SeqSPACE) Call for Abstracts (abstract submissions due June 5, 2026)
Research Resources
NCI & NIH News
Stay Connected
Subscribe for Updates
Subscribe
You can subscribe and unsubscribe at any time by entering your email address and selecting your preferences on the page that follows.
Need Help?
EGRP staff can answer questions on grant funding, policies, and research resources. If you do not know who to contact we will do our best to connect you with someone who can help you.
Email Us(240) 276-6730