RFA 11-03: CIRM Basic Biology Awards IV

Background:

The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), an autonomous research institute funded by the Department of Biotechnology has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) for supporting collaborative research projects between outstanding stem cell scientists in India and California. CIRM was established in November 2004 to provide grants to Californian researchers for stem cell research, research facilities, and other vital research opportunities.

Under the terms of the Agreement, CIRM and inStem are pleased to announce the CIRM Basic Biology IV Awards. Details of this call can be accessed at http://www.cirm.ca.gov/rfa/rfa-11-03-cirm-stem-cell-biology-iv

The CIRM Basic Biology IV Awards

The purpose of the CIRM Basic Biology Initiative is to support basic research that enables the realization of the full potential of human stem cells and reprogrammed cells for therapies and as tools for biomedical innovation. The objective of this RFA is to foster cutting-edge research tackling significant, unresolved issues in human stem cell biology. Studies should focus on elucidating basic molecular and cellular mechanisms and should utilize pluripotent stem cells, adult stem cells, and/or their differentiated derivatives. The CIRM Basic Biology Awards IV will support efforts towards characterizing the molecular and cellular basis of self-renewal, differentiation, and maturation into metabolically functional cell types, as well as mechanistic studies on cell reprogramming, such as induction of pluripotency, trans-differentiation and induced de-differentiation. These awards will also support studies utilizing human stem cell-based in vitro models to gain novel insights about disease mechanisms and other medically relevant processes. With CIRM’s overall mission in mind, funding under this initiative will be prioritized towards studies utilizing human cells, except for groundbreaking and highly innovative approaches that require the use of an animal model system.

Under this Request for Applications (RFA), CIRM intends to commit up to 35 million USD to support up to 25 awards. Projects will be funded for up to 3 years, with justifiable direct project costs of up to $300,000 per year (California component). inStem plans to commit up to 1 million USD per annum to support up to five collaborative projects involving Indian teams, approved for award by CIRM. Applications for support from collaborating teams in India and California will be reviewed by the appropriate Research Funding Working Group at CIRM.

Eligibility criteria for Indian partners

Researchers who belong to any accredited research institution in India are eligible to apply for the program. This program is designed for researchers who fully understand its objectives and are able to propose to conduct collaborative research by establishing international cooperative relationships and integrating each other’s project on stem cell research in close coordination with California researchers.  If a team comprises multiple Indian research institutions, each institution should be DSIR certified and be eligible for funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology Government of India.   The Indian applicants are expected to identify their specific collaborative partners in California. CIRM and inStem will review all inter-institutional agreements prior to award. The Principal Investigator and Group leaders (if present) should all have tenure that extends beyond the grant.

Specific guidelines for Indian researchers can be accessed in Appendix B at http://www.cirm.ca.gov/rfa/rfa-11-03-cirm-stem-cell-biology-iv

Application procedure and deadlines:

A single integrated preliminary application detailing the Indian and Californian research components and budgetary requirements should be submitted by the Californian Principal Investigator via the Grants Management Portal at https://grants.cirm.ca.gov by 5:00 pm (PST), January 10, 2012.

For queries contact: Cirm at Instem.res.in.