Commission receives 151 applications, including proposals ready for clinical and pre-clinical trials
COLUMBIA, Md. (Feb. 4, 2014) – The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (Commission) has received 151 applications in response to its four 2014 Requests for Applications (RFAs). Over its eight-year history, the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) has maintained a high level of interest from the scientific community, and this year’s response is no exception. Three applications are in response to an RFA targeting Maryland-based biotechnology companies ready to conduct clinical and pre-clinical trials.
This funding cycle saw an increase in interest from new stem cell related start-up companies based in Maryland. Eight new companies submitted a total of ten applications for a range of MSCRF grants and projects, including some proposals ready for clinical and pre-clinical trials.
“Year after year we receive great interest in our State’s stem cell research program,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “This critical program contributes to Maryland’s reputation as premier destination for life science research. The talent and promise of 21st century world-class medicine is being formed right here in our backyard.”
Applications received by the Commission for FY2014 include:
- 3 Clinical and Pre-Clinical Trial proposals – These grants provide up to $750,000 for a single clinical application or up to $500,000 for a single pre-clinical application to cover direct costs per year, for up to three years, and are designed for companies conducting clinical and pre-clinical research in Maryland that seek to advance medical therapies in the State.
- 36 Investigator-Initiated Grant proposals – These grants provide up to $600,000 of direct costs per year, for up to three years, and are designed for Maryland investigators who have preliminary data to support their hypotheses.
- 70 Exploratory Research Grant proposals – These grants provide up to $100,000 in direct costs per year, for up to two years, and are designed for Maryland researchers who are new to the stem cell field (young investigators and scientists in other fields), or for exploratory projects that have little or no preliminary data.
- 42 Post-Doctoral Fellowship Grant proposals – These grants provide up to $55,000 per year, for up to two years, including direct and indirect costs and fringe benefits, and are designed for post-doctoral fellows who wish to conduct human stem cell research in Maryland.
Applications will be evaluated by a scientific peer review committee and then reviewed by the Commission, which makes funding recommendations to the board of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). Following final approval from the TEDCO board, awards will be announced in May 2014.
“We are once again delighted by the number and range of applications we have received from Maryland stem cell scientists,” said Rabbi Avram Reisner, Chair of the Commission. “For the second year in a row, the Commission will review proposals for clinical and pre-clinical trials, bringing us closer than ever to translating laboratory research into commercially-available treatments.”
The 2013 MSCRF Annual Report is available online at www.mscrf.org, or by clicking here. The seventh annual report details the research supported by MSCRF locally in 2013 with the hope of continuing to facilitate collaboration among stem cell researchers and promoting best practices.
About the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) was established by the State of Maryland under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006 to promote State-funded stem cell research and cures through grants and loans to public and private entities in the State. Administered by the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), the MSCRF is overseen by an independent commission that sets policy and develops criteria, standards and requirements for applications to the Fund. The current MSCRF budget for FY2014 is $10.4 million. For more information about the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund and a list of Commission members, please visit www.mscrf.org.