The FY26 funding package gave NCI a raise, but the institute’s buying power is 18% less than it was two decades ago Lowy: “We still have percentiles, but we’re not allowed to make awards exclusively on the basis of payline.”

Anthony Letai reflects on Year One as NCI Director: “The NCI is in business”

“I don’t know of a single grant that left my desk that was not approved and funded,” NCI Director Anthony G. Letai said on this episode of The Cancer Letter Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PFYGwliBDYEbxBXFd9MtB?si=95DNBAy0QGSKBX31_uETEA This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Youtube. Letai recapped his first year as NCI director in conversation with Paul Goldberg,...

October 07, 2026

Conversation with The Cancer Letter

With Year One metrics in hand, Letai is ready to “bring it home” in Year Two
“I hope I don’t see any more reports of NCI cutting funding, because it just is not consistent with the facts”

A year ago, when he was sworn in as director of the National Cancer Institute, Anthony G. Letai set a goal: Reassure cancer researchers that the institute will keep a steady course aimed at finding treatments for cancer.

October 02, 2026

Vol.52 No.36

By Paul Goldberg

Podcast The Directors

The Directors: Two Gulf Coast cancer center directors on why NCI designation matters—and why they want it
Lucio Miele and Raghu Kalluri: Science and technology have changed what an aspiring cancer center must accomplish

What should a cancer center look like in an era of AI, genomics, complex patient populations, rising costs, and declining public trust in science?

September 25, 2026

Vol.52 No.35

By Claire Marie Porter and Paul Goldberg

Cancer Policy

NCI launches AI tool to help match patients to clinical trials

NCI Director Anthony Letai announced the development of TrialMatch, an AI tool that helps oncologists identify clinical trials for their patients.

Letai takes a swipe at “ill-informed commentators,” as he lays out his scientific vision for NCI
“To my knowledge, 100% of grants that clear my desk get funded”

As of the end of August, NCI has selected 1,891 competing awards for funding this fiscal year, all of which will be funded by the year’s end, NCI Director Anthony G. Letai said to the National Cancer Advisory Board.

September 18, 2026

Vol.52 No.34

By Claire Marie Porter

Cancer Policy

Letai shares weekly musings in NCI’s new “Tuesdays with Tony” series

This summer, NCI launched a weekly social media series hosted by Director Anthony Letai.

September 18, 2026

Vol.52 No.34

The FY26 funding package gave NCI a raise, but the institute’s buying power is 18% less than it was two decades ago

Lowy: “We still have percentiles, but we’re not allowed to make awards exclusively on the basis of payline.”

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Anthony Letai reflects on Year One as NCI Director: “The NCI is in business”

With Year One metrics in hand, Letai is ready to “bring it home” in Year Two
“I hope I don’t see any more reports of NCI cutting funding, because it just is not consistent with the facts”

The Directors: Two Gulf Coast cancer center directors on why NCI designation matters—and why they want it
Lucio Miele and Raghu Kalluri: Science and technology have changed what an aspiring cancer center must accomplish

NCI launches AI tool to help match patients to clinical trials

Letai takes a swipe at “ill-informed commentators,” as he lays out his scientific vision for NCI
“To my knowledge, 100% of grants that clear my desk get funded”

Letai shares weekly musings in NCI’s new “Tuesdays with Tony” series

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The FY26 funding package gave NCI a raise, but the institute’s buying power is 18% less than it was two decades ago

Lowy: “We still have percentiles, but we’re not allowed to make awards exclusively on the basis of payline.”

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Anthony Letai reflects on Year One as NCI Director: “The NCI is in business”

With Year One metrics in hand, Letai is ready to “bring it home” in Year Two“I hope I don’t see any more reports of NCI cutting funding, because it just is not consistent with the facts”

The Directors: Two Gulf Coast cancer center directors on why NCI designation matters—and why they want itLucio Miele and Raghu Kalluri: Science and technology have changed what an aspiring cancer center must accomplish

NCI launches AI tool to help match patients to clinical trials

Letai takes a swipe at “ill-informed commentators,” as he lays out his scientific vision for NCI“To my knowledge, 100% of grants that clear my desk get funded”

Letai shares weekly musings in NCI’s new “Tuesdays with Tony” series

Never miss an issue!

Login

With Year One metrics in hand, Letai is ready to “bring it home” in Year Two
“I hope I don’t see any more reports of NCI cutting funding, because it just is not consistent with the facts”

The Directors: Two Gulf Coast cancer center directors on why NCI designation matters—and why they want it
Lucio Miele and Raghu Kalluri: Science and technology have changed what an aspiring cancer center must accomplish

Letai takes a swipe at “ill-informed commentators,” as he lays out his scientific vision for NCI
“To my knowledge, 100% of grants that clear my desk get funded”