Cancer Research Trust Fund Act

This bill creates a new "Cancer Research Trust Fund" within the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The fund would support research and development for early cancer screening, prevention, cancer treatments, and innovative therapies, with a specific focus on rare and pediatric cancers.

* **Federal Agencies:** * **U.S. Department of the Treasury:** Required to establish the Trust Fund and transfer money to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) upon request. * **Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):** Required to manage and allocate the transferred funds for cancer research. * **Defense Health Agency (under the Secretary of War):** Required to coordinate with HHS on research and development efforts. * **Cancer Researchers and Patients:** Medical researchers focused on cancer—particularly those studying rare or childhood cancers—as well as patients who might benefit from expanded research into screening, prevention, and treatment.

* **Creation of a Dedicated Fund:** A new federal trust fund would be set up specifically to support cancer research. * **Coordinated Government Research:** HHS and the Defense Health Agency would be required to collaborate on funding decisions and research initiatives. * **Mandated Research Focus:** When allocating money from the fund, HHS would be required to give priority to research on rare cancers and pediatric (childhood) cancers.

* **Funding Source:** The bill authorizes annual appropriations to the Trust Fund equal to 10 percent of the gross customs duties collected each fiscal year on imported tobacco and tobacco substitute products. * **Fund Transfers:** The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to transfer funds from the Trust Fund to HHS whenever requested to carry out the bill's research goals.

* **Restricted Uses:** Money from the Trust Fund can only be used for research and development related to early cancer screening, prevention, treatments, and innovative therapies. * **Funding Reliance:** The fund's authorized amount is tied directly to the customs duties collected on imported tobacco and tobacco substitute products.

This bill sets up a dedicated federal trust fund for cancer research—funded by 10 percent of customs duties collected on imported tobacco products—and requires federal health and defense officials to use the money primarily for cancer prevention, treatment, and especially rare and pediatric cancer research.