Stem Cell Network 2025-2029 Research Funding Competition
On September 3, the Stem Cell Network launched the first of two national research funding competitions planned for SCN’s 2025-2029 funding cycle. The Round 1 competition is now officially open and offers 24- and 36-month awards. Six regenerative medicine research programs are available that focus on innovation, clinical translation, policy and societal impact and commercialization.
New this year, SCN is collaborating with three organizations to offer joint-funding award opportunities. These organizations are:
- Azrieli Foundation
- Breakthrough T1D, in conjunction with their Canadian affiliate, JDRF Canada
- CQDM
Key dates
The Letter of Intent (LOI) submission process for Round 1 opens on September 3, 2024, and is mandatory for all SCN funding programs. To be clear: applicants MUST submit an LOI to be considered for the full application stage of the research competition.
LOIs will be used to identify peer review requirements, gauge the level of interest in SCN’s programs, and ensure projects fall within SCN’s regenerative medicine mandate.
- LOI submissions open on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
- LOI submission deadline is Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
- Full application submission will be opened to eligible LOI submitters on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
- Full application submission deadline is Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT).
LOI and full application-related questions should be addressed to SCN’s Research team at researchSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca.
Programs
- Accelerating Clinical Translation Awards (up to $650,000): To support multi-disciplinary research that is moving towards the clinic within five years; or is addressing a key research question associated with an ongoing clinical trial
- Clinical Trial Awards (up to $1,100,000): To support early-stage clinical trial projects with high translational potential.
- Early Career Researcher Jump Start Awards (up to $350,000): For early career researchers (within the first five years of an initial academic appointment) to develop a research program with a regenerative medicine focus.
- Fueling Biotechnology Partnerships Awards (up to $430,000): To support academic partnerships with emerging Canadian regenerative medicine biotechnology companies to bring innovative technologies or therapies to the clinic or market.
- Impact Awards (up to $270,000): To support proof-of-principle experiments, including novel therapeutic or technical approach development that will drive regenerative medicine therapies forward.
- Impact Awards: ELSI & HE Stream (up to $215,000): To support the knowledge generation and/or translation of regenerative medicine research for targeted stakeholders and/or users.