Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards
RFA 12-06: CIRM Stem Cell Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards
The CIRM Stem Cell Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards will support the establishment and operation in California of one or two centers of excellence dedicated to the application of cutting-edge genomics approaches to substantive problems of human stem cell biology. These centers will provide expertise and resources for the development and application of new and innovative genomics approaches for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Combining genomic and bioinformatics approaches with stem cell research will accelerate fundamental understanding of human biology and disease mechanisms, enhance cell and tissue production and advance personalized cellular therapeutics.
The Stem Cell Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards (Genomics Centers Awards) will advance stem cell genomics by providing an infrastructure on which to implement a range of genomic studies focusing on the biology and therapeutic application of human stem cells. The mission of these CIRM Genomics Centers (“Centers”) will be 1) to pursue critical, transformative, data-intensive genomics projects that will substantially advance the human stem cell field and to advance genomics technology as applied to stem cell biology, and 2) to collaborate with stem cell scientists from throughout California on genomics research projects by providing advice and assistance in the design and performance of genomics experiments, the collection and processing of complex data sets, and the application of advanced bioinformatics analyses. The Centers will be expected to undertake projects critical to the progress of stem cell research in collaboration with appropriate partners.
Please see RFA 12-06 for full details of the CIRM Stem Cell Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards.
RFA 12-06: CIRM Stem Cell Genomics Centers of Excellence Awards [pdf]
Genomics RFA FAQS [pdf]
CIRM conducted a webinar for prospective applicants on September 11, 2012 to address questions about the CIRM Genomics Centers Awards RFA 12-06 and the application process. Here is a link to introductory slides that were presented at the webinar.
Application Process
An eligible applicant must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to CIRM following the instructions below. In the second step of the process, eligible applicants will submit an Application. The Program Director must be the same as the one named in the LOI; otherwise, the Application is deemed ineligible.
Letter of Intent (LOI) Instructions
A Program Director may submit only one LOI for RFA12-06. The deadline for submission of an LOI is 5:00 pm (PDT) on October 3, 2012. No exceptions to this deadline will be made.
LOI Submission Instructions:
The Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted via the CIRM Grants Management Portal, as follows:
- Go to the Grants Management Portal (https://grants.cirm.ca.gov/login/upgrade_browser) and 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.
- After logging in, your home page will display a list of open RFAs or LOIs. Click on the “Start a Letter of Intent” link located to the right of the section labeled “RFA 12-06: CIRM Genomics Centers Award: Letter of Intent“.
- Complete the LOI by following the posted instructions.
- The “Done with Letter of Intent” button becomes enabled when all sections are complete. Select this button to complete your LOI submission. Once this button has been selected, you will no longer be able to make changes to your LOI.
- To ensure the process is complete, go back to your home page and check for “RFA 12-06: CIRM Genomics Centers Award” in the section titled “Your Submitted Applications“.
The LOI must be received by CIRM no later than 5:00 pm (PDT) on October 3, 2012 via the CIRM Grants Management Portal. No exceptions to this deadline will be made.
Application Instructions
Applications will only be accepted from applicants who 1) submitted an LOI and 2) meet the eligibility criteria (as defined in section V of the RFA and based on information provided in the LOI). Application Forms will be available via the Grants Management Portal at https://grants.cirm.ca.gov/login/upgrade_browser by October 3, 2012.
The Application for the CIRM Genomics Centers Awards consists of five parts:
Part A: Application Information Form (Web-based form)
Part B: Proposal (MS Word template)
Part C: Biographical Sketches and Letters of Support (MS Word template)
Part D: Letter(s) of Institutional Commitment
Part E: Project Budget Workbook (MS Excel template)
All five parts of the CIRM Genomics Center Awards application must be submitted together and received by CIRM no later than 5:00PM PST on Nov. 28, 2012 via the Grants Management Portal (https://grants.cirm.ca.gov/login/upgrade_browser). It is the applicant’s responsibility to meet this deadline; no exceptions will be made.
| Schedule of CIRM Deadlines and Reviews | Date |
| Letters of Intent due | 5:00 pm (PDT), October 3, 2012 |
| Applications due | 5:00 pm (PST), November 28, 2012 |
| Scientific Review of Applications by Grants Working Group (GWG) | February, 2013 |
| Scientific Review of Applications by Grants Working Group (GWG) | November, 2013 |
| Review and Approval by ICOC | Winter, 2014 |
| Earliest Funding of Awards | Winter, 2014 |
No exceptions will be made to above deadlines.
Contact
For information about this RFA:
Michael P. Yaffe, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Research Activities
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Email: myaffe@cirm.ca.gov
Phone: (415) 396-9238
For information about the review process:
Gilberto R. Sambrano, Ph.D.
Senior Review Officer
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Email: gsambrano@cirm.ca.gov
Phone: (415) 396-9103