Cooperative Agreement UH3CA290286

The National Cancer Institute awarded the University of Washington a $965,502 cooperative agreement on May 1, 2026, under the Cancer Cause and Prevention Research program (CFDA 93.393) to conduct a two-phase pilot and pragmatic trial evaluating human papillomavirus self-sampling for cervical cancer screening in federally qualified health centers.

The STEP-2 trial will adapt and evaluate two intervention programs to integrate HPV self-sampling into FQHCs in Oregon and Washington, addressing low screening rates among the 29.3 million patients receiving FQHC care. Phase 1 is a milestone-driven planning phase using community-based participatory research and stakeholder input to pilot-test two multilevel interventions for distributing HPV self-sampling kits—in-clinic distribution and in-clinic plus direct mailing—at two FQHC sites. Phase 2 will conduct a cluster-randomized pragmatic trial across 42 FQHC clinics, randomizing sites to usual care, in-clinic distribution only, or in-clinic plus mailed distribution. For in-clinic distribution, providers will offer self-sampling at in-person or telehealth encounters; the mailed component will be administered by Medicaid health plans. The primary outcome measures the proportion of eligible patients ages 30 to 64 who are due or overdue for routine screening and complete screening.

Work is performed in Seattle, Washington, with a period of performance from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2030.