January 28, 2026
The University of Kansas Cancer Center today announced $36 million in funding to support the research capacity of the new KU Cancer Center facility. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) — chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science — secured the funding. It was approved by Congress as part of a three-bill appropriations package, and it has now been signed into law by the President.
“This funding will be transformational in its impact on our center as it will allow us to complete all the research floors in the building,” said Roy Jensen, MD, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center. “This will be critical in moving the center forward over the next decade.”
“The University of Kansas Cancer Center is a nationally recognized leader in the fight against cancer,” Moran said. “With these federal resources, The University of Kansas Cancer Center will be able to complete construction of this new, state-of-the-art cancer center and bring us closer to opening its doors for groundbreaking cancer research. This facility will expand the cancer services and research provided in Kansas and across the Midwest, saving lives and bringing us closer to finding a cure for cancer.”
“Today marks another milestone in our effort to strengthen KU Cancer Center’s status among the best cancer centers in the nation,” said Douglas Girod, chancellor of the University of Kansas. “Thanks to Senator Moran’s advocacy and efforts to secure this latest round of federal support, KU and its partners now have all the funding needed for construction of our new KU Cancer Center facility, which will enable us to further integrate research and clinical care to benefit patients fighting cancer. We are beyond grateful to Senator Moran for his commitment to KU Cancer Center over the past two decades, and we look forward to continuing to work with him on initiatives that benefit Kansas patients, families and communities.”
As the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Moran has helped secure $105 million in federal resources since 2022 to build and equip the new facility. In May 2025, Moran participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new cancer center, which will bring expanded cancer care and research together in one complex. Patients will have access to more innovative clinical trials and groundbreaking therapies developed on site.
The complex is funded by multiple sources, including a $100 million lead gift from the Sunderland Foundation, the largest ever received by the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System. Moran secured federal funding and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly supported the appropriation of state funds. Other funding to complete the project continues to come from private foundations and donors.
This article originally appeared on the University of Kansas Medical Center's website.