The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Research Ready Program is helping build awareness, trust and understanding of research participation across the community. Developed in partnership with diverse community members, including cancer survivors, the program uses engaging graphic-style stories to explain the purpose of research, how participants are protected and why representation from all communities is essential to advancing health care.

Through facilitated discussions led by trained Community Research Advocates, Research Ready creates opportunities for open conversations about research participation and helps individuals feel more informed when making decisions about whether to take part in a study.

The program has been delivered in a variety of settings, including middle and high school classrooms, community cultural events and summer research training programs. By reaching audiences early and often, Research Ready is helping foster a greater understanding of research and its role in improving health outcomes.

As the initiative continues to grow, future efforts will expand Research Ready programming to undergraduate and medical students, providing additional opportunities to strengthen research literacy among future health professionals. The Cancer Center is also adapting the program for use with recently diagnosed cancer patients who may be considering participation in clinical trials or other research studies as part of their care.

Programs such as Research Ready exemplify the Cancer Center's commitment to meaningful community engagement — an essential component of its ongoing pursuit of National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. By equipping individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about research participation, the program helps ensure that future discoveries are guided by the perspectives and needs of the communities they are designed to serve.

NCI designation is a recognition reserved for cancer centers that demonstrate exceptional strength in research, clinical care, community outreach and scientific collaboration. The Cancer Center is continuing its pursuit of this prestigious designation, which reflects not only scientific excellence but also a sustained commitment to improving the health of the communities it serves.

Unlike many federal research grants, the application for NCI designation is not based on a proposal for future work. Instead, cancer centers submit an application for the P30 Cancer Center Support Grant that documents the research programs, scientific achievements, infrastructure, leadership, shared resources, community engagement activities and clinical research capabilities that are already in place. The application must demonstrate that the cancer center currently meets the rigorous standards established by the NCI for designation.

"An NCI designation application is fundamentally different from traditional research grants," cancer center leaders explain. "Rather than asking for funding to conduct a specific study, the P30 grant tells the story of the cancer center as a whole, providing evidence that it has the scientific depth, collaboration, infrastructure and community impact expected of an NCI-Designated Cancer Center."

Achieving designation would bring significant benefits to the Cincinnati region. NCI-Designated Cancer Centers attract federal research funding, recruit leading scientists and physicians, and create opportunities for economic growth through research, innovation and workforce development.

The scientific impact would extend beyond cancer. Investments in research infrastructure, including advanced laboratories, data science programs, clinical trial networks, biorepositories and shared technology resources, support discoveries across a wide range of health conditions. Researchers in fields such as immunology, genetics, neuroscience, population health and artificial intelligence often benefit from the collaborative environment fostered by NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center has spent years building the foundation needed for designation by expanding research programs, strengthening collaborations across the university and health system, increasing clinical trial access and deepening engagement with communities throughout its catchment area. Initiatives like Research Ready illustrate how the Cancer Center is addressing the NCI's expectation that designated centers not only conduct outstanding research but also meaningfully engage communities and respond to the cancer burden and needs of the populations they serve.

If successful, NCI designation would represent a major milestone for the University of Cincinnati and the region, affirming the Cancer Center's role as a leader in biomedical research while expanding opportunities to improve health outcomes, accelerate scientific discovery and bring the latest advances in medicine to patients close to home.

To participate in the Research Ready Program or for more information on becoming a Community Research Advocate, please email the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement.