Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Issues 2012 Requests for Applications (RFAs)

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (Commission) released its 2012 Requests for Applications (RFAs) last week for funding through the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF). This is the sixth round of funding from the MSCRF.

Established under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006, the MSCRF is currently budgeted to commit up to $12.4 million, in aggregate, in FY 2012 to fund grants under all of its RFAs. The Commission last week released three new RFAs, seeking applications for basic, translational and clinical research involving human stem cells of all types, as defined in the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act. Investigators affiliated with Maryland-based organizations of all types are eligible to apply, including public and private for-profit and not-for-profit universities, colleges, research institutes, companies and medical centers.

"Our grant opportunities support Maryland researchers as they conduct cutting-edge research," said Dan Gincel, director of the MSCRF. "This year, we are calling on companies across the country to look into our programs and to consider joining Maryland's thriving biotechnology sector. We believe the scientific community here, combined with our stem cell funding, make Maryland a premier destination for biotech businesses."

RFA-MD-12-1 is soliciting applications for Investigator-Initiated Research Grants, which are designed for investigators with preliminary data supporting the grant application. Investor-Initiated Research Grants provide up to $200,000 of direct costs per year over a maximum of three years.

RFA-MD-12-2 is soliciting applications for Exploratory Research Grants, which are designed for investigators who are new to the stem cell field (young investigators and investigators from other fields), and for new hypotheses, approaches, mechanisms or models that may differ from current thinking in the stem cell field, with little or no preliminary data supporting the application. These Exploratory Research Grants provide up to $100,000 of direct costs per year, for up to two years.

RFA-MD-12-3 is soliciting applications for post-doctoral fellows who wish to conduct research in Maryland. Post-doctoral Fellowship awards provide up to $55,000 per year, for up to two years, including all direct, indirect and fringe benefits costs.

The work funded under these RFAs must be conducted in Maryland. The scientists and clinicians conducting this work must be employed or retained by an eligible Maryland-based organization while the work is ongoing.

All principal investigators funded under these RFAs will be required to present their interim and final research results at an annual in-state symposium and in annual reports to the MSCRF.

Key Dates:

• Required Letter of Intent Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m., November 14, 2011
• Application Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m., January 16, 2012
• Peer Review Date(s): March 2012
• Commission Review Date: May 7, 2012
• Earliest Anticipated Start Date: June 2012

For more information about the 2012 RFAs, visit the MSCRF Web site at http://www.mscrf.org.

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 FY 2012 is $12.4 million. For more information about the MSCRF and a list of Commission members, please visit http://www.mscrf.org.

Media Contacts:

Kathleen Shaffer
410-902-5053
kshaffer@mghus.com

Kelly Cahill
410-504-8312
kcahill@mghus.com  

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SOURCE Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission