Frequently Asked Questions about CIRM

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will provide information on and respond to questions about the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), its organization and activities.  The CIRM is unable to respond to questions regarding diagnosis, medical treatment or general science. Likewise, the CIRM has no information for persons who may be interested in participating in clinical trials.

Generally the CIRM will respond to each request for information within 10 working days.

Please address all public records access (PRA) requests to prarequest@cirm.ca.gov.  For further information, please review CIRM’s public records access guidelines.

The CIRM web site contains detailed information about up-coming and past meetings, events and activities, as well as CIRM grant programs.  We encourage you to review this information and the information provided in links throughout the CIRM web site, before submitting requests for information.  The following responds to frequently asked questions.

What is the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)?

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (“The Institute” or “CIRM”) is a state agency that was established through the passage of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. The statewide ballot measure, which provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions, was approved by California voters on November 2, 2004, and called for the establishment of a new state agency to make grants and provide loans for stem cell research, research facilities and other vital research opportunities.

What does the CIRM do?

The CIRM will use bond proceeds to fund basic and applied biomedical research focused on developing diagnostics and therapies and on other vital research opportunities that will lead to life-saving medical treatments.  All proposals are peer-reviewed to support the most promising scientific research.  Research grants are made only to California-based research institutions.

What is the Independant Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC)?

The Independent Citizens Oversight Committee ("ICOC") is the 29-member governing board for the Institute. The ICOC members are public officials, appointed on the basis of their experience earned in California's leading public universities, non-profit academic and research institutions, patient advocacy groups and the biotechnology industry.  A list of the members is available on the ICOC/Governing Board page.

What is the responsibility of the ICOC?

• The responsibilities assigned to the ICOC are
• Oversee the operations of the CIRM
• Develop annual and long-term strategic research and financial plans for the institute
• Make final decisions on research standards and grant awards in California
• Ensure the completion of an annual financial audit of the institute’s operation
• Issue public reports on the activities of the institution
• Establish policies regarding intellectual property rights arising from research funded by the CIRM
• Establish rules and guidelines for the operation of the ICOC and its working groups
• Perform all other acts necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its power, authority, and jurisdiction over the institute
• Select members of the working groups
• Adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations to carry out the purposed and provisions of this chapter, and to govern the procedures of the ICOC
• Adopt interim regulations as necessary which can remain in effect for 270 days or when final regulations are adopted
• Request the issuance of bonds from the stem Cell Research and Cures Finance Committee and loans from the Pooled Money Investment Board
• Modify its funding and finance programs to optimize the institute’s ability to achieve the objective that its activities be revenue positive during its first five years of operation
• Accept additional revenue and real and personal property that may be used to supplement annual research grant funding and the operations of the CIRM.

A complete description of the ICOC is given in Proposition 71

What is the status of regulations and guidelines that the ICOC is to develop?

The status of all regulations and guidelines is included on the CIRM web site under CIRM Regulations. 

How are the ICOC members selected?

Twenty-two members were appointed by elected state officials – the Governor, Lt. Governor, State Controller, State Treasurer, the State Senate Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the Assembly.  The Chancellors of the University of California at San Francisco, Davis, Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego each appointed an executive officer from his or her campus.  The Chair and Vice-Chair were nominated by the Governor, Lt. Governor, the State Controller and the State Treasurer and elected by the 27-appointed members.  A complete list of all current members and their backgrounds is on the CIRM web page.

How often does the ICOC meet?

A list of all upcoming meetings of the full ICOC, ICOC subcommittees and Working Groups is listed on the CIRM Upcoming Meetings page.  Please note that listings about future meetings may only include a general location (e.g. UC Irvine) but the agenda and the specific location can be found on the CIRM web page under Upcoming Meetings at least 10 days prior to the meeting.  The ICOC meetings and subcommittee meetings are conducted under California’s Bagley-Keene open meetings laws.

Can the public make comments at these meetings?

Members of the public are welcome to make comments at the beginning of each ICOC meeting and subcommittee meeting, after each agenda item, and at the end of each meeting.  Comments should be kept to three minutes.  Comments made during an agenda item should be limited to that specific item.  There is no need to request to speak in advance.  The Chair of the ICOC will announce at the appropriate time when the members of the public can make comments.

Can I get updates on ICOC, CIRM and working group activities?

Yes. First, all updates are included on the CIRM web page.  In addition, we can e-mail you notices of upcoming meetings of the ICOC and Working Groups and other CIRM work by adding you to our Concerned Citizens list.  If you wish to be added to that list, please submit your email address to mking@cirm.ca.gov.

What organizations are eligible to receive funding?

Any California-based profit or non-profit research institution may apply for funding.

What guidelines will be used for the award of grants?

Guidelines are adopted by the ICOC in the form of interim or final regulations.  The status of all guidelines and regulations is included on the CIRM web site under CIRM Regulations.

Can the funding be used to fund research on human reproductive cloning?

No. Such research is specifically prohibited under Proposition 71.

Can I volunteer for the CIRM?

CIRM will consider all volunteer offers based on the business needs of the Institute and the qualifications of the applicant.  If you are interested in a volunteer position at CIRM, please provide a cover letter and resume addressing your qualifications and interests and send electronically to jobs@cirm.ca.gov

Can I make donation to the CIRM?

Under Proposition 71, the ICOC is authorized to accept donations of "additional revenue and real and personal property [including cash], including, but not limited to gifts, royalties, interest, and appropriations that may be used to supplement annual research grant funding and the operations of the institute." To implement this section, the ICOC has adopted a policy and procedure on the acceptance of donated real and personally property.

You may see the gift policy below:

• GIFT POLICY

If you have questions, please contact the Chief Administrative Officer at the following:

Office of Administration

CIRM
210 King Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 396-9100 (public number)
(415) 396-9141 (fax)

If these FAQ’s do not respond to your question, you may send an electronic inquiry to CIRM at info@cirm.ca.gov.