Requests for Applications
Stem Cell Funding Opportunities
All of CIRM's stem cell research funds are given out through direct requests for applications (RFAs). When concepts for new RFAs are approved by the governing board, they are listed below as upcoming RFAs. Once those RFAs are posted and are open for applications, they are listed as Current Requests for Applications. Applications are reviewed by 15 members of the Scientific and Medical Research Funding Working Group (Grants Working Group), who score the grants and provide funding recommendations to the board. Those review reports are posted on this page prior to the meeting in which our governing board votes on which applications to fund.
Related information about CIRM stem cell grants
- Search all funded grants
- See charts showing our grant distribution
- See a list of CIRM grantee institutions
- Read information about managing CIRM grants
- See how much money CIRM has committed and spent on stem cell grants
- Receive email announcements when new RFAs are posted
Upcoming RFAs
Current Requests for Applications
RFA 13-02: CIRM Basic Biology Awards V
The CIRM Basic Biology Awards V will fund research tackling significant, unresolved issues in human stem cell biology. These awards will comprise two categories, or “tracks” of research, each with a unique potential to advance the field. The first category “Track 1: Fundamental Mechanism Awards”, will target rigorous investigations using human stem/reprogrammed cells to elucidate fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms pertinent to stem cell biology and/or regenerative medicine. Studies using in vitro human stem/reprogrammed cell models to elucidate disease mechanisms will also be supported through this track. The second category, “Track 2: Exploratory Concepts Awards” will target projects testing highly novel hypotheses that if proven, have the potential to dramatically and rapidly advance the field. Studies supported through both tracks of the Basic Biology Awards V will form the foundation for future translational and clinical advances, enabling the realization of the full potential of human stem cells and reprogrammed cells for therapies and as tools for biomedical innovation.
RFA 13-01: CIRM Disease Team Therapy Development III Awards
(Amended 2/11/13 )
The purpose of the Disease Team Therapy Development III Awards is to advance early clinical development of novel therapies derived from or targeting stem cells, potentially offering unique benefit with well-considered risk to persons with disease or serious injury. Disease Team Therapy Development III Awards will support actively managed teams to conduct milestone-driven preclinical and clinical development. The objective of this third call under the Disease Team initiative is to complete, in 4 years or less, a clinical trial under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The objective for eligible CIRM Early Translational awardees under this RFA is to file a well-supported IND with the FDA within 4 years.
PA 12-08: CIRM Patent Assistance Fund Awards
The goal of the Patent Assistance Fund is to ensure adequate prosecution of intellectual property (“IP”) relating to CIRM Funded Inventions (“CFIs”) that have commercial relevance. CIRM’s program is intended to provide funding assistance to help ensure that non-profit Grantees preserve IP positions that are intended to enhance the marketability of CFIs and make downstream investment and development more likely.
RFA 12-07: CIRM Early Translational IV Research Awards - UPDATED September 21, 2012
The CIRM Early Translational Research Initiative aims to fund and advance potentially transformative stem cell therapies towards IND-enabling preclinical and clinical development. The Early Translational IV Research Awards RFA will support projects that perform the initial stage of translational research including the conduct of studies resulting in proof of concept for a potential development candidate (a Development Candidate Feasibility Award or DCF Award) and/or studies to select a Development Candidate (DC Award).
RFA 12-06: CIRM Stem Cell Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards
The CIRM Stem Cell Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards will support the establishment and operation in California of one or two centers of excellence dedicated to the application of cutting-edge genomics approaches to substantive problems of human stem cell biology. These centers will provide expertise and resources for the development and application of new and innovative genomics approaches for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Combining genomic and bioinformatics approaches with stem cell research will accelerate fundamental understanding of human biology and disease mechanisms, enhance cell and tissue production and advance personalized cellular therapeutics.
PA 08-06: CIRM Conference Grants
*Applications are no longer being accepted under this PA until the July 2013 program year
This Program Announcement (PA) will support the development and conduct of scientific conferences relevant to stem cell research. A scientific conference is defined as an organized event where persons physically assemble to exchange scientific information or explore a defined scientific subject. Support of such conferences is contingent on the fiscal and programmatic priorities of CIRM. Conference grant awards are open to non-profit organizations in California.
Past requests for applications
RFA 12-09: CIRM Strategic Partnership II Awards
RFA 12-05: CIRM Strategic Partnership I Awards
RFA 12-04: CIRM hPSC Repository Award
RFA 12-03: CIRM hiPSC Derivation Award
RFA 12-02: CIRM Tissue Collection for Disease Modeling Awards
RFA 12-01: CIRM New Faculty Physician Scientist Translational Research Awards
RFA 11-04: CIRM Creativity Awards
RFA 11-03: CIRM Basic Biology Awards IV
RFA 11-02: CIRM Early Translational III Research Awards
RFA 10-05: CIRM Disease Team Therapy Development Awards
RFA 10-05: CIRM Disease Team Therapy Development Awards - Part I Planning Award
RFA 10-04: CIRM Basic Biology Awards III
RFA 10-03: CIRM Targeted Clinical Development Awards
RFA 10-02: CIRM Tools and Technologies Awards II
RFA 10-01: CIRM Early Translational II Research Awards
RFA 09-04: CIRM Research Leadership Awards
- RFA
- Cycle 1: Summaries of Review Reports
- Cycle 2: Summaries of Review Reports
- Cycle 7: Summaries of Review Reports
- Cycle 8: Summaries of Review Reports
- Cycle 10: Summaries of Review Reports
- Cycle12: Summaries of Review Reports
RFA 09-03: CIRM Stem Cell Transplantation Immunology Awards
RFA 09-02: CIRM Basic Biology Awards II
RFA 09-01: CIRM Disease Team Research Awards
RFA 08-07: CIRM Basic Biology Awards I
RFA 08-05 : CIRM Early Translational Research Awards
RFA 08-04: CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research Awards
RFA 08-03: CIRM Research Training Program II
RFA 08-02: CIRM Tools and Technologies Awards
RFA 08-01: CIRM New Faculty Awards II
RFA 07-05: CIRM New Cell Lines Awards
RFA 07-04: CIRM Disease Team Planning Awards
RFA 07-03: CIRM Major Facilities Grant Program
RFA 07-02: CIRM New Faculty Awards
RFA 07-01: CIRM Shared Labs and Stem Cell Techniques Course Grant
RFA 06-02: CIRM Comprehensive Research Grant
RFA 06-01: CIRM SEED Grant
RFA 05-01: CIRM Training Grant
- RFA
- Summaries of Review Reports (Type I)
- Summaries of Review Reports (Type II)
- Summaries of Review Reports (Type III)
Current RFAs
CIRM funds grants through directed Requests for Applications (RFAs).
Workshop Reports
CIRM holds regular scientific workshops and meetings to update the scientific staff and CIRM grantees about particular areas of stem cell and related research.
Cerebral Palsy Workshop Report [pdf]
Human iPS Cell Banking Workshop [pdf]
SCNT Workshop Report [pdf]
