Thursday, March 12, 2026 3/12/2026

Center for Transformative Community-Driven Research to Prevent Obesity-related Cancer

Award Number: U54CA280804
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/15/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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Center for Transformative Community-Driven Research to Prevent Obesity-related Cancer - The Center for Transformative Community-Driven Research to Prevent Obesity-related Cancer (the Center) seeks to reduce cancer risk and ultimately improve cancer outcomes for communities. We plan to bridge the gap between research and real-world practice through community-engaged approaches to address obesity—the second leading preventable cause of cancer. The Center will focus its activity on Acres Homes, a community in Houston, Texas that has high prevalence of cancer risk factors. The Center will test interventions in the context of MD Anderson’s current place-based cancer prevention initiative (Be Well Communities™), around two scientific themes: 1) understanding social and environmental context in which risk factors arise (e.g., food insecurity, limited recreational infrastructure, few health promotion services) and 2) promoting health behavior changes of diet and physical activity as major contributing causes of obesity. The two research projects span the cancer control continuum from primary prevention to survivorship: Project 1 will test the effect of a multi-level nutrition intervention on BMI and metabolic health in Acres Homes elementary school students and their parents, and Project 2 will adapt and test the effect of a physical activity intervention for Acres Homes cancer survivors on physical functioning. Both will use a health promotion interweaving approach to embed the interventions in the environmental context of Acres Homes and Be Well Communities. The interdisciplinary approach used by the research projects will integrate behavioral science, implementation science, geospatial analytics, and health communication. The Center will include five cores: Administrative, Research and Methods, Career Enhancement, Developmental, and Engagement Core. Our conceptual framework is informed by both the environmental context and the science of behavior change. At the behavior change level, the conceptual framework incorporates the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation -Behavior) model of behavior change. In collaboration with Acres Homes community leaders, the specific aims of the Center are to: (1) Test interventions to address risk factors for obesity-related cancers using a health promotion interweaving approach in the context of Be Well™ Acres Homes, building on the existing infrastructure of community collaboration, planning and programming; (2) Collaborate with residents and community organizations to foster an environment that supports the conduct of research and the implementation of programs that focus on exploring risk factors for obesity-related cancers; (3) Support the careers of interdisciplinary teams of early-career researchers including trainees and early stage faculty and build their expertise in conducting research to promote cancer prevention and control.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	000	3	12/12/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2026	2025	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	001	3	2/13/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $1,965,116 )
2025	2025	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	001	3	6/25/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,965,116
2025	2024	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	000	2	1/16/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,965,116

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $1,872,858 )
2024	2024	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, A COMPONENT OF THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS SYSTEM	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	003	2	6/26/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2024	2024	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, A COMPONENT OF THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS SYSTEM	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	001	2	4/30/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,872,858
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, THE	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	000	1	11/9/2023	NEW	$0
2024	2023	THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, A COMPONENT OF THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS SYSTEM	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	002	1	6/26/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $1,872,858

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $2,031,039 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, THE	1515 HOLCOMBE BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Centers Support Grants	000	1	6/15/2023	NEW	$2,031,039
														Subtotal = $2,031,039

Grand Total All Awards = $5,869,013

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Center for Transformative Community-Driven Research to Prevent Obesity-related Cancer

Award Number: U54CA280804

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/15/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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