CRF funding is an annual contract from the State of Maryland necessitating the July 1 to June 30 funding dates and our need to have a very rapid review and funding process. These research grants are intended to reduce the cancer burden in Maryland, eliminate disparities, and address lung, oral, prostate, breast, cervix, colon/rectum cancers or melanoma as often as possible. State priorities amenable for funding are found in the 2021-25 MD Comprehensive Cancer Plan. We are priority funding new faculty (within three years of appointment on July 1, 2022) and translational research projects from established investigators oriented to the study of issues that affect the SKCCC catchment area (Maryland) and that have the potential to improve outcomes. We are also interested in funding research of high potential impact on cancer in the catchment area. Thus, further cancer center priorities are obesity and obesity disparities (to affect obesity-related cancers); aggregation of cancers’ and controls’ blood samples for liquid biopsy validation and early detection of cancer; delivery and evaluation of smoking cessation in high prevalence areas (e.g., B. City and MD’s Eastern shore); and survivorship issues. More details found in attachments.