Discovery Stage Research
Objective
The mission of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is to accelerate world class science to deliver transformative regenerative medicine treatments in an equitable manner to a diverse California and world.
CIRM’s Discovery Programs include complementary funding opportunities that support research at different scales and levels of maturity, emphasizing multidisciplinary innovation, knowledge sharing and leveraging synergies across CIRM-funded programs. The objective of these funding opportunities is to support comprehensive, discovery research across a diverse range of diseases and bottlenecks that will accelerate the development of potential therapeutics and biomarkers in regenerative medicine.
Explore Funding Opportunities
Visit the DISC5 Awards page on our website for more information about the DISC5 Awards, including deadlines, requirements, webinar information, and FAQs.
The DISC5 awards support exploratory and innovative foundational research led by pairs of investigators applying a range of technologies and approaches to address knowledge gaps or bottlenecks in stem cell biology or regenerative medicine.
Download the DISC5 Program Announcement (PA) for more details regarding award eligibility, review criteria, and application information:
Applications for DISC5 will open on November 14, 2025. All applications must be submitted by 2 pm PST on January 30, 2026.
The DISC4 Pre-submission form is now closed. Please check back for future opportunities or sign up for email alerts.
Visit the DISC4 Awards page on our website for more information about the DISC4 Awards, including deadlines, requirements, webinar information, and FAQs.
DISC4 supports expansive, cross-disciplinary, and integrated studies led by large collaborative teams that apply a range of technologies and approaches to accelerate foundational insights into understanding human diseases.
Download the DISC4 Program Announcement (PA) for more details regarding award eligibility, review criteria, and application information.
- DISC4: Program Announcement [PDF | Updated April 11, 2025]
Important: All prospective DISC4 applicants must first complete a Pre-submission Form.
To Submit an Application:
Log in with your existing CIRM Username and Password. If you do not have a Username, click on the “New User” link and follow the instructions to Create a CIRM Username and password.
Select the tab labeled “Open Programs” under the section labeled “RFAs and Programs Open for Applications,” click on the “Start a Grant Application” link for your selected program.
Click on the appropriate link and follow the posted instructions. Proposal templates can be located and submitted under the “Uploads” section.
Click on the “Done with Application” button. The “Done with Application” button will be enabled when all the mandatory sections have been completed. Please note that once this has been selected, you will no longer be able to make changes to your application.
Select the tab labeled “Your Applications” and check the table under the section labeled “Your Submitted Applications.” You will see your application number and project title listed once the submission process has been completed.
