KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The University of Kansas Cancer Center will receive its long sought National Cancer Institute designation, according to U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts.

"I am pleased that The University of Kansas has been given a green light and I look forward to a formal announcement of their National Cancer Institute designation," Roberts, a Kansas Republican, posted on his Facebook page Thursday.

This morning, KU officials sent an email to university staff saying that a official notice would not come from the National Institute of Health until July 12.

"While we are encouraged by this news, we do not yet have our formal notice of grant award and have been asked by the NIH to reserve July 12 for a formal announcement," said the email, signed by KU Cancer Center Director Roy Jensen and other KU officials.

KU applied for NCI designation in September after seven-plus years of work and some $350 million in investment.

If awarded, the NCI designation would mean Kansans could receive federally recognized, top-tier treatment for cancer without leaving the state. Currently, the closest NCI cancer center is in Omaha, Neb.

NCI designation also would mean KU would become eligible for millions of dollars in grants to improve its cancer center and gain access to clinical trials only open to NCI centers.