The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) is a not‑for‑profit organization committed to gathering and disseminating current epidemiologic data on all primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, non-malignant and malignant. CBTRUS data are used to describe incidence and survival patterns, evaluate diagnosis and treatment, facilitate etiologic studies, raise disease awareness, and ultimately support brain tumor prevention.

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit high‑quality, collaborative research proposals that leverage population‑based data from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). The goal is to advance knowledge of the epidemiology, incidence, survival, and burden of primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors and to promote research with meaningful public health impact.

This RFA replaces CBTRUS’s prior ad hoc collaboration process. Moving to a structured, competitive proposal mechanism allows CBTRUS to more intentionally align collaborations with strategic priorities, apply consistent review criteria, and focus available resources on projects with the highest potential scientific and public health impact.

CBTRUS remains strongly committed to collaboration. However, new projects seeking CBTRUS data support, analytic support, or formal collaboration should be submitted through this RFA to ensure transparency, equity, and appropriate prioritization.

No. Funding is not required at the time of application. However, proposals with existing or pending funding will be prioritized during review. CBTRUS may also provide assistance with future funding applications for selected projects.

Yes. Investigators are encouraged to contact CBTRUS with questions or to discuss project ideas prior to submission. However, all new projects seeking CBTRUS collaboration must be submitted through this RFA to be considered. Send questions to info@cbtrus.org.

CBTRUS supports research in two fundamentally different ways:

1. 1. data requests

   
   

   2. collaborative project proposals

The key distinction is whether CBTRUS functions primarily as a data provider or as an active research partner.

A data request is appropriate when an investigator needs statistics derived from existing CBTRUS data. These are appropriate when work required by CBTRUS staff is limited (<X hours).  These requests are typically narrowly scoped, limited in analytic complexity, and descriptive. CBTRUS does not participate in manuscript development, or methodological design. This pathway is best suited for feasibility questions, background statistics for grants or manuscripts, or extensions of published CBTRUS data.  For requests from for profit companies, there may be fees associated with data requests depending on amount of CBTRUS staff time required.

A collaborative project proposal is fundamentally different. It is used when the project requires complex analytic methods, novel research questions, integration of CBTRUS staff expertise, potential co‑authorship or long‑term collaboration. In these projects, CBTRUS investigators are active collaborators, contributing to study design and analytical strategy, interpretation of findings, manuscript preparation and authorship. These projects may include custom cohort definitions or advanced survival or trend modeling. These requests are solicited within cycles during the year, and selection is competitive.