The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the first and largest cancer research organization dedicated to accelerating the conquest of cancer.
Mission
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer through:
- Research
- Education
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Science Policy and Advocacy
- Funding for Cancer Research
Through its programs and services, the AACR fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science; accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer; promotes science education and training; and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world.
Annual Reports
Review the AACR Annual Reports for a summary of programs and initiatives that the AACR supports in pursuit of its mission.
Founding and History
The AACR was founded on May 7, 1907, in Washington, D.C., by a group of 11 physicians and scientists interested in research “to further the investigation and spread the knowledge of cancer.” (Read more about the history of the AACR.)
Governance
- Chief Executive Officer: Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc)
- President: Patricia M. LoRusso, DO, PhD (hc), FAACR (2024-2025)
- President-Elect: Lillian L. Siu, MD, FAACR (2024-2025)
- Past President: Philip D. Greenberg, MD, FAACR (2024-2025)
- Treasurer: William N. Hait, MD, PhD, FAACR (2022-2025)
- View the AACR Board of Directors
Financial Information
The AACR and the AACR Foundation are 501(c)(3) public charities as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The AACR provides transparency to assure its members and donors that their contributions are wisely used. The AACR directs 88 cents of every dollar raised to support cancer research through grants, fellowships, scientific education, and information for cancer patients and their families.
AACR Members
- The AACR has more than 58,000 members residing in 142 countries and territories.
- Members include laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates.
- Membership includes 289 Fellows of the AACR Academy; 56 are Nobel laureates.
Programs and Initiatives
- The organization publishes ten peer-reviewed journals: Blood Cancer Discovery; Cancer Discovery; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; Cancer Immunology Research; Cancer Prevention Research; Cancer Research; Cancer Research Communications; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Research; and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.
- Other AACR publications include Cancer Today, a magazine for cancer patients and caregivers; Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care; the annual AACR Cancer Progress Report; the AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report, the AACR Annual Report, and the blog Cancer Research Catalyst.
- The AACR funds research directly, as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer-focused organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer-reviewed grant administration and scientific oversight of team science and individual grants for cancer research projects that have the potential to improve patient outcomes.
- The AACR Office of Science Policy and Government Affairs actively communicates with legislators and policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical sciences to reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality. It also advocates for critical federal cancer research funding.
- The AACR hosts more than 30 scientific conferences and educational workshops annually. The largest is the AACR Annual Meeting.
- AACR workshops, fellowships, and career development grants support the education and training of young investigators, who are the future of cancer research.
- The AACR Survivor and Patient Advocacy Program provides support for cancer survivors and their families.
Location
- The AACR is headquartered in Philadelphia, with offices in Boston; Washington, D.C.; and Toronto, Canada.
- Contact the AACR.
