The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is pleased to announce a new opportunity within our current funding cycle for Discovery stage programs: the DISC0 Foundation Awards which focus on foundational and/or mechanistic research projects grounded in human biology and/or disease pathology.  
  
Projects funded through the Foundation Awards should propose impactful or innovative research that culminates in a discovery or technology that would:  

• Advance our understanding of the biology of stem or progenitor cells that is relevant to human biology and disease; or   
• Advance the application of genetic research that is relevant to human biology and disease and pertains to stem cells or regenerative medicine; or  
• Advance the development or use of human stem cells as tools for biomedical innovation; or   
• Lead to the greater applicability of regenerative medicine discoveries to communities representing the full spectrum of diversity.  

CIRM’s goal is that the outcomes of the projects derived from this opportunity will ultimately create new avenues and provide a rigorous foundation for translational and clinical development work.   
 
Since Proposition 14 dedicates more than a quarter of funds to support research and development of treatments for diseases and conditions of the brain and central nervous system (CNS), CIRM encourages the submission of proposals focused on increasing our understanding of the fundamental biology of CNS disorders.  
 
Please visit our website to download the DISC0 Program Announcement and read about program requirements before submitting your application. Applications are due November 8th, 2022 by 2:00 PM PST.   

The CIRM Science team recently hosted a webinar addressing DISC0 eligibility requirements, the application and review process, and how this program fits into CIRM’s overall Strategic Plan and Mission. The webinar includes a half-hour presentation by CIRM staff followed by a half-hour for Q&A. You can view the webinar below or direct any questions about the program and applications to discovery@cirm.ca.gov.

We look forward to your applications!