# 1/2 VSU-MCC Partnership for Cancer Disparities Research and Training program (SUCCEED)

> **NIH NIH P20** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $237,908

## Abstract

OVERALL: PROJECT SUMMARY
Investigators from Virginia State University (VSU), a Historically Black College/University, and the NCI-
designated Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center (MCC) recognized a need to
collaborate and leverage the expertise and resources of both institutions to educate and train promising
individuals who will ultimately contribute to diminishing cancer disparities in Virginia. The outcome of this
collaboration resulted in the formation of the VSU-MCC PartnErship for CancEr Disparities Research and
Training (SUCCEED) program. The overarching goal of SUCCEED is to lead in the transformation of cancer-
related outcomes for Virginians and to serve as a model of transdisciplinary disparities research and education.
Guided by the NCI framework, our preliminary data, and the expertise of our multidisciplinary team, we will
employ a multilevel approach to develop a robust collaborative infrastructure that will build on the strengths of
the partnering institutions to enhance their capacity to conduct cancer health inequities research that is driven
by local data and informed by the cancer-related needs of local communities. Specific aims are to: Aim 1:
Establish a mutually beneficial collaborative partnership between VSU and MCC in cancer disparities research
and training; Aim 2: Conduct collaborative, locally focused liver/gastrointestinal (GI) cancer pilot research studies
by investigators at MCC and VSU; Aim 3: Provide an integrated cancer research training and career
development experience to VSU faculty; Aim 4: Support underrepresented minority undergraduate students
from VSU to pursue careers in disparities research; Aim 5: Conduct an ongoing evaluation that reflects the
progress of the collaborative partnership in meeting its goals and objectives. To our knowledge, this is the first
targeted effort of this nature to address cancer disparities in the state of Virginia.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10491744
- **Project number:** 5P20CA264067-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** VANESSA B SHEPPARD
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $237,908
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-21 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10491744

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10491744, 1/2 VSU-MCC Partnership for Cancer Disparities Research and Training program (SUCCEED) (5P20CA264067-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10491744. Licensed CC0.

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