University of Maryland Cancer Center Secures Exclusive $3 Million NCI Award to Launch Health Equity Research Program

The University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center received a $3 million NCI award to train oncology researchers via the new ARCH K12 health equity program.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 10:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of Maryland School of Medicine

A National Leader in Community-Informed Oncology

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has signaled a significant investment in the future of equitable cancer care by awarding a $3 million Career Development Award to the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC). This prestigious grant, distributed over a five-year period, marks UMGCCC as the sole recipient of this particular funding across the United States for the 2025 cycle. The award acknowledges the center's long-standing excellence in integrating community-informed research with clinical treatment, specifically tailored to the diverse population of Baltimore and the broader Maryland region.

Launching the ARCH K12 Training Initiative

At the heart of this award is the creation of the Advancing Oncologic Research Communities in Health Equity (ARCH) K12 Program. This initiative is designed to identify and support early-career faculty and postdoctoral fellows who are in the final stages of their clinical or laboratory training. By providing a structured pathway for these researchers, the ARCH program aims to bridge the gap between academic discovery and community application. The program focuses on scholars who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving cancer outcomes for patients from underrepresented and broad demographic backgrounds, ensuring that the next generation of leadership in oncology is as diverse as the patients they serve.

Principal Leadership and Multidisciplinary Oversight

The program will be spearheaded by a trio of Principal Investigators representing the intersection of clinical care, laboratory science, and public health. Executive Director Taofeek K. Owonikoko, MD, joins Deputy Director Stuart Martin, PhD, and Associate Professor Rebecca G. Nowak, PhD, MPH, to oversee the curriculum and evaluate its long-term impact. This multidisciplinary leadership team reflects the program's goal: to connect epidemiology and pharmacology with frontline patient care. Dr. Owonikoko noted that the NCI’s recognition validates the center’s unique relationship with its local community, positioning the university to succeed in the high-stakes environment of health equity research.