CPRIT awards more than $73 million to UT institutions for cancer research and prevention

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) announced Feb. 16 it had awarded grants totaling over $73 million to six University of Texas institutions to advance cancer research and prevention efforts.

The following UT institutions received awards for academic research, prevention initiatives, and to attract world-class cancer researchers to Texas:

  • UT MD Anderson – $31,733,422
  • UT Southwestern – $17,233,416
  • UT Health San Antonio – $10,863,806
  • UTHealth Houston – $6,341,091
  • UT Austin – $4,890,930
  • UTMB – $1,986,984

Of note, both MD Anderson and UT Health San Antonio were awarded CPRIT scholar grants worth $6 million to recruit outstanding cancer research talent to Texas. MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston also received grants to expand cancer prevention services to rural and medically underserved areas.

CPRIT was established after Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2007 authorizing the state to issue $3 billion in bonds to fund groundbreaking cancer research and prevention programs and services. In November 2019, Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment to provide an additional $3 billion to CPRIT for a total $6 billion investment in cancer research and prevention.

Today, CPRIT is the largest state research investment in the history of the United States and the second largest cancer research and prevention program in the world. About $3 billion — including over $1.6 billion to UT institutions — has been awarded to support research and programs that benefit Texans in every area of the state.

About The University of Texas System

For more than 130 years, The University of Texas System has been committed to improving the lives of Texans and people all over the world through education, research and health care. With 13 institutions, an enrollment of more than 243,000 students and an operating budget of $23.4 billion (FY 2022), the UT System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produce more than 67,000 graduates annually and award more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees and more than half of its medical degrees. Collectively, UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics accounted for more than 8.6 million outpatient visits and almost 1.8 million hospital days in 2020. UT institutions also are among the most innovative in the world, collectively ranking No. 4 for most U.S. patents granted in 2020, and the UT System is No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the nation in federal research expenditures. The UT System also is one of the largest employers in Texas, with more than 21,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academies – and more than 85,000 health care professionals, researchers and support staff.

News Contact Information

Karen Adler: kadler@utsystem.edu • 512-499-4360 (direct) • 210-912-8055 (cell)