NCI defines an Extraordinary Opportunity as an area of discovery that

• Responds to important recent developments in knowledge and technology

• Offers approaches to cancer research that go beyond the size, scope, and funding of NCI's current research activities

• Can be implemented with specific, defined investments

• Can be described in terms of achievable milestones, with clear consequences for not investing

• Promise advances that are needed for making progress against all cancers

Investment in these Extraordinary Opportunities is a priority in the NCI Bypass Budget.