July 29, 2026 (Ottawa) – Today the Stem Cell Network (SCN) is pleased to announce the second of two national research funding competitions planned for SCN’s 2025-2029 funding cycle. This new competition will support world-class, translational regenerative medicine research across the research continuum to facilitate health, social and economic benefits for Canadians.
The competition will officially open on Monday, August 31, 2026, and will offer 22-month awards.
SCN is proud to collaborate with two organizations to offer joint-funding award opportunities:
Four regenerative medicine research programs are available that focus on innovation, translation toward the clinic, and policy and societal impact:
- Accelerating Clinical Translation Awards (up to $700,000)
- Support multi-disciplinary research that is moving toward the clinic within five years; or is addressing a key research question associated with an ongoing clinical trial.
- Joint-Funded Awards valued at $840,000 are also available in collaboration with Azrieli Foundation or Breakthrough T1D.
- Early Career Researcher Jump Start Awards (up to $270,000)
- For early career researchers (within the first five years of an initial academic appointment) to develop a research program with a regenerative medicine focus.
- Joint-Funded Awards valued at $324,000 are also available in collaboration with Azrieli Foundation.
- Impact Awards (up to $290,000)
- Support proof-of-principle experiments, including novel therapeutic or technical approach development that will drive regenerative medicine therapies forward.
- Joint-Funded Awards valued at $348,000 are also available in collaboration with Azrieli Foundation or Breakthrough T1D.
- Impact Awards: Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) & Health Economics (HE) Stream (up to $215,000)
- Support the knowledge generation and/or translation of regenerative medicine research for targeted stakeholders and/or users.
- Joint-Funded Awards valued at $258,000 are also available in collaboration with Azrieli Foundation or Breakthrough T1D.
SCN will host an informational webinar via Zoom on August 13, 2026 at 1pm ET. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to register here.
To learn more about the funding competition, key dates, and guidelines, visit: https://stemcellnetwork.ca/funding/research-funding/.
Quotes:
“SCN is excited to launch its latest stem cell and regenerative medicine research competition with the continued support of two valued funding partners. For 25 years, SCN has powered the development and translation of stem cell and regenerative medicine research in more than 26 disease areas, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurological diseases. This new competition will drive momentum and ensure Canada’s exceptional research community can translate their discoveries into the lifesaving therapies of tomorrow.”
– Cate Murray, President & CEO, Stem Cell Network
“Canada has an outstanding reputation for stem cell and regenerative medicine research, and SCN plays a leading role in supporting this. Our new funding competition will further accelerate the translation of research into innovative therapies across the clinical pipeline. We encourage all eligible researchers to apply and look forward to reviewing their applications.”
– Michael Rudnicki, O.C., Ph.D., FRS, FRSC, Scientific Director, Stem Cell Network
“Regenerative medicine holds promise for advancing how we understand and treat brain-based conditions. The Azrieli Foundation is proud to join the Stem Cell Network in supporting research at this frontier and we look forward to seeing this collaboration drive meaningful progress toward improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by these conditions.”
– Dr. Mira Puri, Scientific Director, Azrieli Foundation
“Breakthrough T1D is committed to the development of islet cell therapies that can change the course of type 1 diabetes. As a pioneer in islet cell transplantation, Canada has the scientific legacy, talent, and world-leading collaborative hubs needed to advance the next generation of manufactured islet cell therapies. We look forward to collaborating with Stem Cell Network to accelerate innovation and the translation of emerging therapies in the regenerative medicine field.”
– Esther Latres, Senior Vice President, Research, Breakthrough T1D International
“Breakthrough T1D Canada is proud to partner with the Stem Cell Network to support the next generation of regenerative medicine research in type 1 diabetes. For more than 50 years, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the search for cures, and this competition will help accelerate promising discoveries toward real-world impact. By bringing together researchers, funders, and partners across Canada, we can strengthen our world-class research ecosystem and advance innovative therapies that have the potential to transform lives.”
– Jessica Diniz, President and CEO, Breakthrough T1D Canada
Quick Facts:
- Since 2001, SCN has invested $162M into regenerative medicine research and leveraged $176M in research partnerships, funding more than 280 research projects across Canada.
- Between 2020 and 2025, SCN-supported research generated 181 peer-reviewed publications and 86% of SCN-funded outputs appeared in top-quartile journals, demonstrating scientific excellence and enhancing Canada’s reputation as a global science leader.
- A 2025 international survey of 167 experts from 11 countries ranked Canada third in significance within the regenerative medicine field.
- SCN’s translational funding programs create the conditions for regenerative medicine research to move beyond publication into clinical and commercial application.
- Investments are primarily targeted toward therapeutic development for a broad range of disease areas, directly aligned with SCN’s mission to transform lives through regenerative medicine.
– 30 –
About the Stem Cell Network
The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a Canadian not-for-profit that supports stem cell and regenerative medicine research; training the next generation of highly qualified personnel; enabling knowledge mobilization of research; and enhancing the commercialization readiness of stem cell and RM innovations. From the lab to the clinic, SCN’s goal is to power life-saving therapies and technologies through regenerative medicine research for the benefit of all. Created in 2001, with support from the Government of Canada, the Network has funded over 280 research projects and 30 clinical trials, cumulatively driven by experts from 350 research groups across Canada. Since its inception, over 28 biotech companies have been catalyzed or enhanced and more than 7,900 highly qualified personnel have been trained. In 2023, the Government of Canada announced additional funding for SCN through the Strategic Science Fund that will support SCN activities and research through to the end of the decade.
About Azrieli Foundation
For more than 35 years, the Azrieli Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening communities and improving people’s lives through strategic and impactful giving and programs in education, research, science and healthcare, and the arts, across Canada and Israel. We are proud of our work, which is guided by Jewish values and supports people of all faiths, ages, backgrounds and abilities.
About Breakthrough T1D
Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is the leading organization driving research, advocacy and community support for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our goal is to make every day better for those living with T1D while advancing the breakthroughs that will one day cure it.
Since 1974, we have invested in life-changing research, worked with governments to improve access to care and treatments, and helped accelerate progress toward cures. As part of a global movement, we bring together researchers, clinicians, industry partners, policymakers and people affected by T1D to turn scientific discoveries into real-world impact.
To learn more, visit BreakthroughT1D.ca.
