MSCRF: Discovery Grant Program

MSCRF: Discovery Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund
Amount: Up to US $350,000
Last Updated: November 13, 2025

Summary

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund's Discovery Grant Program aims to support innovative research in stem cell and regenerative medicine. Its mission is to develop new strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating human diseases through the use of human stem cells. This program encourages collaboration among academic institutions and fosters groundbreaking research that can lead to significant advancements in medical therapies, ultimately enhancing our understanding and treatment of various health conditions.

Overview

NOTE: PIs are encouraged to register in the TEDCO online submission system at least one month before the application submission deadline. Mission Develop new medical strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of human diseases, injuries and conditions through human stem cells. Purpose The purpose of the Fund is to promote state-funded stem cell research and cures through grants and loans to public and private entities in the state. Discovery Program Stem cell research offers extraordinary promise for new medical therapies and a better understanding of the devastating diseases of our time. The development of new medical strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of human diseases, injuries and conditions through human stem cell research is a high priority for the State of Maryland. Funding Objectives The principal objective of this Program is to support pioneering research in the domain of stem cell and regenerative medicine, fostering the creation of novel medical approaches to diagnose, treat, and ultimately find cures for various human medical conditions and diseases. It is also the intent of the Program to foster collaborations between various schools, departments, and institutions within academic research organizations, and between public and private sectors. This Request for Applications seeks applications for research grants aimed at engaging and providing assistance to investigators who are exploring fresh and inventive hypotheses, methods, mechanisms, or models that may deviate from the current conventions in the stem cell field. These proposals require funding to generate initial data that can substantiate their groundbreaking research endeavors. Grants awarded under this RFA will fund basic and translational research involving human stem cells. Eligible Research and Cell Types All research funded by the MSCRF must involve human stem cells. Animal cells may be used to supplement studies with human stem cells. Basic and translational research Projects are all eligible for funding. All types of human stem cells, as defined in the Stem Cell Act: The Stem Cell Act defines eligible human stem cells as follows: A human cell that has the ability to: (1) divide indefinitely; (2) give rise to many other types of specialized cells; and (3) give rise to new stem cells with identical potential. The full text of the Stem Cell Act is available on the MSCRF Web site. Sharing Research Results and New Cell Lines Awardees are required to share, with qualified researchers, their research results, any cell lines and other materials developed with MSCRF funding. Cell lines therefore must be derived from the tissues of individuals who provided consent to such sharing. Awardees may require that the recipient researcher(s) pay reasonable compensation for such new cell lines or materials. Awardees may include in the Grant Budget, and use MSCRF funds to pay for, reasonable expenses associated with sharing arrangements. Awardees shall determine whether and to what extent to cover such sharing of new cell lines and materials with intellectual property and contractual protections (i.e., Confidentiality Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Data-Sharing Agreements, License Agreements, Supply Agreements, etc.).

Eligibility

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