Research and Education Funding

As the world’s largest private funder of ovarian cancer research grants, OCRA understands the importance of a robust commitment to life-saving scientific research. At every opportunity, we work to increase the federal government’s investment in research and educational programs.

A 2016 review of the state of science in ovarian cancer by the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) reaffirms that “there remain surprising gaps in the fundamental knowledge about and understanding of ovarian cancer.” Closing these gaps and unraveling the complexities of ovarian cancer depends on ongoing public and private investments in research.

As the largest non-governmental funder of ovarian cancer research, OCRA is doing its part. To date, OCRA has awarded $122 million in private ovarian cancer research to over 90 leading universities, medical schools, and other research institutions.

The federal government distributes ovarian cancer funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which houses National Cancer Institute (NCI); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and the Department of Defense (DoD). Each agency is unique in its area of focus and grant-making approach but all employ a rigorous peer-review process, ensuring federal investments are meritorious and non-duplicative. Funding levels are determined annually through the congressional appropriations process.

OCRA works with its grassroots base of patient and survivor advocates, as well as other similarly aligned organizations to influence congressional decision-making throughout the appropriations process and ensure ovarian cancer programs continue to receive adequate support and funding.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the leading federal agency for cancer research and oversees the national cancer research agenda. NCI’s investments account for the majority of federal funding for ovarian cancer research and include basic, translational, and clinical biomedical research on myriad topics including early detection, imaging technologies, risk assessment, immunosuppression and novel therapeutic approaches.

Federal Funding History

bar graph showing general increase in funding for Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative via CDC; Ovarian Cancer Research Program via DOD, National Institutes of Health, and Johanna's Law via CDC, from the years of 1998 through 2022
Click to zoom on graphic

Research into high mortality cancers – like ovarian cancer and others with survival rates of less than 50 percent – should be among the highest-ranking priorities at National Cancer Institute (NCI) and funded accordingly.

Ovarian Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense

The Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) is part of the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). OCRP invests in cutting-edge research that’s high impact, high risk and high reward and may not qualify for funding from other federal agencies. In particular, OCRP focuses on translational research – which aims to “translate” findings in basic research into clinical practice in the patient community. The research pipeline moves slowly and the progression from bench to bedside can take years, or even decades. Translational research is further along in the pipeline and for today’s patient community, offers the best hope for accelerating progress toward long-term survival.

Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC)

Johanna’s Law

Johanna’s Law – also referred to as The Gynecologic Cancer Education Act – was signed into law in 2007 to raise public awareness of gynecologic cancer symptoms and reduce rates of late-stage diagnosis. The legislation is named for Johanna Silver Gordon, who died of ovarian cancer in 2000. Johanna’s Law supports CDC’s Inside KnowledgeCampaign, which develops and disseminates fact sheets, brochures, and posters, as well as broadcast, print, and digital public service advertisements to raise awareness of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. Inside Knowledgeuses varied platforms and evidence-based strategies to ensure messaging is effective and reaches target populations.

Johanna’s Law also supports ongoing education about gynecologic cancers and symptoms among health care providers and offers free Gynecologic Cancer Curriculum for Continuing Medication Education (CME) credits.

Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative

CDC’s Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative (OCCI) CDC monitors demographic and other factors at the population-level around ovarian cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survival. These include patient knowledge, perceived risk, treatment and decision-making, as well as physician awareness of and adherence to guidelines regarding clinical assessment and treatment of ovarian cancer. This information is then used to inform strategies for population screening and risk reduction.

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