Overview of CIRM Stem Cell Research Funding

Numbers reflect funds approved and committed by the CIRM governing board through November 2011.

For more information about stem cell research, visit our Stem Cell Basics. The pages contain information about the different types of stem cells, how stem cell research can lead to new therapies, how CIRM benefits the state of California, and provides answers to common questions about stem cell research.

You can also search CIRM stem cell research grants by disease category or stem cell type.

Funding Intent

CIRM has funded awards intended to train the next generation of stem cell scientists, build facilities for carrying out stem cell research, and for research. You can learn more about how these areas of research funding are all necessary for generating new therapies in our section on what we fund: Progress Toward Stem Cell Therapies: Research We Fund.

Human Stem Cell Use

CIRM funds research involving all types of stem cells.

Stem Cell Derivation

This chart includes only those grants with a specific intent to derive new human stem cell lines for the purposes of distribution, investigation of disease processes or development of therapeutic candidates. Grants with a focus on basic stem cell biology or tool development are not included.

Disease categories

Includes all CIRM grants with a disease focus. Areas of disease impact are designated by percentage of committed funds (left) or by percentage of total grant number (right). Does not include grants with broader impacts, such as those seeking to understand basic mechanisms of stem cell biology or developing new tools and technologies for advancing therapies.