Our History
20 Years of Scientific Innovation: Our History
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) was established in 2004 when 59 percent of California voters passed Proposition 71, also known as the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, into law. This vote allowed CIRM to fund the research and development of stem cell treatments for Californians with unmet medical needs—at a time when no federal funding for this type of research existed.
It also bridged a critical gap in funding between what was needed by Californians, reducing a potential long-term state health care burden, and contributing to the improvement of our health care system.
Following the passage of Prop 71 in 2004, a 29-member governing board composed of researchers, business leaders, and patient advocates held its first meeting to establish leadership, find headquarters in the Bay Area, and create working groups.
Our first round of funding was issued in 2006 with the primary goal of supporting stem cell research. Recognizing the importance of building the future regenerative medicine workforce and the need for scientists with experience in stem cell research, CIRM boosted its programs in education and training programs, launching programs across the state to train the next generation of scientists.
In the Prop 71 era, CIRM issued hundreds of awards to drive regenerative medicine forward, including infrastructure projects to provide scientists across California the tools, technologies, resources and support they need to advance stem cell research, as well as research grants to find treatments for a variety of diseases and conditions like HIV, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer.
Renewal Through Proposition 14
In 2020, California voters renewed their trust in us with their vote once more to continue funding the Agency with Proposition 14—the California Stem Cell Research, Treatments, and Cures Initiative—which gave CIRM an additional $5.5 billion to fund stem cell and regenerative medicine research.
Prop 14 also mandated additional programs to bring advancements in research to all Californians, including launching patient access programs like the Community Care Centers of Excellence, designed to serve as a hub for expanding access to clinical trials, regenerative medicine treatments, and CIRM training programs, as well as establishing a Patient Support Program to support patients through the clinical trial process.
Through Prop 14 funding, CIRM is slated to dedicate at least $1.5 billion of CIRM’s $5.5 billion in additional total funding to the support of research and development of treatments for diseases and conditions of the brain and central nervous system.
With renewed funding, CIRM is poised to continue igniting world-class science and development of breakthrough therapies, establishing educational foundations for the future, investing in infrastructure, propelling partnerships, and improving patient access.
