The TCGA steering committee meeting and first scientific symposium represents a semi-annual event where we perform strategic planning as a steering committee and project team, as well as share our scientific progress with the entire research network. Both NCI and NHGRI co-sponsor the TCGA research program. As part of some of the cost-sharing in this event, NHGRI will also be responsible for assisting in the development of the steering committee agenda, will ensure the attendance of their funded principle investigators and corresponding research teams, will engage their investigators and encourage the provision of abstracts and talks from NHGRI funded centers. They will plan sessions/talks for the steering committee meeting and will assist in the presentation/review of progress in the program.