Stem Cell Network Launches a New National Research Competition for Canadian Stem Cell Research

January 7, 2020 (Ottawa) The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is pleased to launch a national funding competition for three translational research programs and a new program, Innovation Research Program, for early career investigators in the stem cell and regenerative medicine field. This call follows a first competition launched last summer and is focused on translational research to move research from bench to beside. In total, over $12 million will be made available between 2019 and 2020 through the two peer-reviewed funding competitions.

“Supporting the next generation of stem cell researchers is an important component of the Stem Cell Network’s mandate, and today we are pleased to announce a new program for early career investigators. The Innovation Research program will support investigators within the first five years of their academic appointment to establish or further develop an innovative stem cell program,” said, SCN’s CEO & Scientific Director, Michael Rudnicki, O.C., FRSC, PhD.

All four of SCN’s research funding programs will continue to drive stem cell technologies forward and further see Canada’s regenerative medicine sector grow and sustain Canadian competitiveness in this important life science.

Thanks to the continued support by the Government of Canada through the 2019 federal budget, SCN is able to advance innovative and leading-edge stem cell and regenerative medicine research across Canada through competitions launched today and in June 2019.

The call for full applications for all four funding programs will be open until April 1, 2020. All proposals will be subject to independent peer-review and results of the competitions are expected be announced in the second half of 2020.

The four research funding programs announced today are:

The Accelerating Clinical Translation Program:  Supports multi-disciplinary research projects that are moving toward the clinic. This program will also support translational research activities (including ELSI questions) associated with an upcoming or ongoing clinical trial. Project awards will be up to $400,000.

The Fueling Biotechnology Partnerships Program: Supports academic partnerships with emerging Canadian regenerative medicine biotech companies who are working to drive an innovative stem cell-based technology or therapy into the clinic or market. Project awards will be up to $350,000.

The Innovation Research Program for Early Career Investigators: Supports early career investigators (within the first five years of an initial academic appointment) to develop a stem cell research program with a regenerative medicine focus. This program is also open to researchers studying the ethical, legal and social implications of stem cell and regenerative medicine. Funded Projects will serve as a foundation for a longer-term translational research program. Project awards will be up to $150,000.

The Translation and Society Team Awards: Supports national teams of high-calibre, multi-disciplinary investigators to undertake ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Social Implications) research projects that focus on key opportunities and impediments to progress in the translation of innovative stem cell research. Project awards will be up to $175,000.

For program information, click here.

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About the Stem Cell Network
Tomorrow’s health is here. The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a national non-profit that supports stem cell and regenerative medicine research, training the next generation of highly qualified personnel, and delivering outreach activities across Canada. SCN’s goal is to advance science from the lab to the clinic for the benefit of Canadians. SCN has been supported by the Government of Canada since inception in 2001. This strategic funding, valued at $118M has benefitted approximately 170 world-class research groups and 3,000 trainees and has catalyzed 19 clinical trials. stemcellnetwork.ca