CPRIT staff told the oversight committee they must reduce some award sizes to sustain momentum and fund a broader portfolio in the face of constrained resources. The Program Integration Committee recommended approximately $60 million in academic research awards across multiple RFAs but proposed reducing established investigator recruitment awards from $6 million to $4 million. Staff said the change would allow CPRIT to fund more recruitment, research training and individual investigator awards, while institutions might be asked to supplement startup packages.

During the presentation, Dr. Hebert highlighted priority areas including pediatric brain tumor proton‑therapy comparisons, rare fusion‑protein renal cell research, computational systems biology for triple‑negative breast cancer and ctDNA minimal residual disease clinical trials. The scientific review council had recommended 32 individual investigator research awards but PIC recommended funding 28 at this time and deferring four pending budget availability.

Board members raised concerns that lowering recruitment packages could make it harder to attract top talent given rising relocation and startup costs; staff acknowledged the risk and said exceptions could be brought to the committee if a uniquely compelling candidate emerged. The oversight committee approved the academic research slates and delegated contract authority to the CEO and staff; committee members also approved the FY26 and FY27 RFAs presented by staff.

Next steps: CPRIT staff will negotiate award contracts and return to the oversight committee for any exception requests to the recruitment cap policy.