Discovery Stage Research
CIRM’s Discovery Stage Research program funds collaborative, innovative basic research to advance breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and stem cell biology, focusing on foundational science and early-stage discoveries.
Funder: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (DISC5 full application) | June 2027 (DISC4 pre-submission)
Funding Amounts: DISC5: up to $2.5M over 3 years; DISC4: up to $13–14M over 4 years (with matching funds for the higher limit)
Summary: Supports multidisciplinary and exploratory research to advance foundational discoveries and accelerate breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and stem cell biology.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; all dates are projected and subject to change.
Description
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Discovery Stage Research program funds innovative, multidisciplinary research to accelerate the development of new therapeutics, biomarkers, and foundational knowledge in regenerative medicine and stem cell biology. The program is structured around two major award tracks:
- DISC4 Awards: Support large, collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams working to advance disease biology insights, particularly focusing on annual thematic areas (e.g., immune-tissue interplay).
- DISC5 Awards: Fund exploratory, high-risk/high-reward foundational research led by pairs of investigators to address knowledge gaps or bottlenecks in stem cell biology or regenerative medicine.
Both award types emphasize knowledge sharing, collaboration, and leveraging advances in stem cell and genetic research to catalyze impactful discoveries that can be translated into future therapies or diagnostics.
