CRN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Building a Research Consortium of Large Health Systems: The Cancer Research Network

Critical questions about cancer prevention, care, and out-comes increasingly require research involving large patient populations and their care delivery organizations. The Cancer Research Network (CRN) includes 11 integrated health systems funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct collaborative cancer research. This article describes the challenges of constructing a productive consortium of large health systems, and explores the CRN’s responses. The CRN was initially funded through an NCI cooperative agree-ment in 1999 and has since received a second 4-year grant. Leadership and policy development are provided through a steering committee, subcommittees, and an external advisory committee. The CRN includes integral and affi liated research projects supported by a Scientifi c and Data Resources Core. Three characteristics of the CRN intensifi ed the genera