Preclinical Development (PDEV) Awards
Accelerating Therapies to the Clinic
Applications for the next PDEV funding cycle will open July/August 2026. The applications will be due in October 2026.
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Preclinical Programs at CIRM
CIRM’s Preclinical Development (PDEV) funding program supports completion of preclinical studies, FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance, and clinical trial startup for innovative stem cell-based and genetic therapies.
This partnership model helps applicants navigate key preclinical milestones and maximizes the likelihood of success. This vision is achieved through a critical path approach emphasizing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic alignment with CIRM’s broader goal of advancing 15 to 20 therapies into late-stage clinical trials. The awards may support a range of activities, from candidate optimization to IND-enabling studies and trial startup, ensuring a smooth path toward clinical readiness.
PDEV Awards: Key Information
Expected Outcomes
The expected outcome of all PDEV awards is the clearance of an IND application with the FDA for the stem cell-based or genetic therapy candidate.
Project Eligibility
Below is a select list of eligibility requirements for reference. Applications must meet the complete list of eligibility requirements defined in the PDEV PA in order to be considered for CIRM funding.
- The application must propose studies to support submission and clearance of a single IND application with the FDA for the proposed stem cell-based or genetic therapy
- The application must provide data demonstrating that reproducible disease-modifying activity was achieved with the proposed candidate
- The applicant organization must meet CIRM’s definition of a California Organization
Funding Allocation
CIRM anticipates funding between 7-12 PDEV awards in FY26-27, contingent on the ratio of Early PDEV and Late PDEV applications recommended for funding.
Award Amount & Duration
The maximum total funding for a PDEV award is $13 million per award. The maximum award duration is 5 years.
Applicants may request CIRM support for preclinical development activities spanning pre-IND and IND-enabling stages. The maximum overall award amount and duration as well as expected funds requested and duration for each individual stage are described in the PA.
How to Submit a Pre-submission Form:
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.
Navigate to “Open Programs”. Click on “Start a Pre-submission form for Preclinical Development Program (PDEV)”.
Click on the appropriate link and follow the posted instructions. Proposal outline templates can be located and submitted under the “Document Uploads” section.
Click on the “Submit PDEV_Pre_Sub-XXXXX” button. The button will be enabled when all the mandatory sections have been completed.
Note: Once submitted, you can no longer make changes to your pre-submission.
Select the tab labeled “Your Applications” and check the table under the section labeled “Your Submitted Applications.” You will see your Pre-submission number and project title listed once the submission process has been completed.
Download the PDEV Program Announcement (PA) for more information on award eligibility, review criteria, and the application process.
PDEV Program Announcement Coming Soon
PDEV applications will open in late July or early August.
How to Submit an Application:
Log in with your existing CIRM username and password. If you do not have a username, click 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,” and click on the “Start a Grant Application” link for the selected program.
Click on the appropriate link and follow the instructions. Proposal templates can be located and submitted under the “Uploads” section.
Click on the “Done with Application” button. After completing all the mandatory sections, the “Done with Application” button will be enabled.
Note: Once submitted, you can no longer make changes to your application.
Select the tab labeled “Your Applications” and check the table under the section labeled “Your Submitted Applications.” Once the submission process has been completed, you will see your application number and project title listed.
CIRM Grants Policies, FAQs, and Primers
- Data Sharing and Management Requirements
- Patient Access Planning Requirements
- Allowable Costs and co-funding FAQ
- Commercialization Rights Primer (IP, Revenue Sharing, Pricing, Access, March-in Rights)
- Grants Administration Policy for Clinical Stage Projects
- CIRM Funding Opportunities: Common Requirements and Definitions
Preclinical Development Resources
PDEV Application Resources
PDEV FAQs
The applicant organization must be a California organization per CIRM’s definition. A “California Organization” is a for-profit or non-profit organization or is a California-domiciled wholly owned subsidiary of a non-California organization (any entity that does not qualify as a California Organization) that meets all of the following criteria:
- Employment and Payroll: Employs at least one W-2 employee; and more than 50% of its W-2 employees, whether part-time or full-time, who are paid in any manner (e.g., wage, salary, commission, equity), must be domiciled full-time in California and be required to file California state income taxes due to their employment with the organization.
- Management of Award Activities: The Principal Investigator (PI) must be physically located in California while overseeing all project activities.
- Intellectual Property Rights: In the case of a California-domiciled wholly owned subsidiary of a non-California organization, the subsidiary must retain exclusive rights to any intellectual property arising out of the CIRM-funded project as well as any pre-existing IP rights held by the parent organization.
The maximum total funding for a PDEV award is $13 million per award. The maximum award duration is 5 years.
Early PDEV (Pre-IND) and Late PDEV (IND-enabling) refer to the two stages of preclinical development encompassed by PDEV awards. Projects that meet the candidate readiness eligibility criteria may request CIRM funding for Early and/or Late PDEV activities to achieve the expected outcome of IND clearance with the FDA for the proposed therapy.
Applicants may not request funding solely for Early PDEV activities that won’t achieve the expected award outcome. Applicants may request funding solely for Late PDEV activities if FDA pre-IND feedback has already been obtained for the proposed project.
No. An applicant that meets PDEV eligibility criteria (i.e. candidate readiness) can apply for funding at any point to achieve the expected award outcome of IND clearance.
Programmatic questions regarding this award should be emailed to preclinical@cirm.ca.gov with the subject line “PDEV”. Specific questions related to budget and Grants Administration policies should be emailed to grantsmanagement@cirm.ca.gov with the subject line “PDEV”.