ReMIND Initiative
ReMIND
Accelerating Neuroscience Research through Collaborative Innovation
ReMIND-L (DISC4) applications now open.
Scroll down to learn more.
MISSION
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.
In support of this mission, CIRM is pleased to introduce ReMIND (Research using Multidisciplinary, Innovative approaches in Neuro Diseases), a vital new initiative that aims to accelerate discoveries that advance our understanding of Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders. To achieve this, the ReMIND Program will catalyze innovative, cross-disciplinary collaborations and support broad knowledge-sharing among research scientists and other stakeholders.
ReMIND was developed in response to Proposition 14, which allocates at least $1.5 billion of CIRM’s total $5.5 billion bond funding specifically for research and development of treatments for diseases affecting the brain and central nervous system.
Two Unique Awards Support Foundational Research in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Neuropsychiatric disorders place a tremendous burden on patients and caretakers across California. To develop effective treatments, there is a great need for better scientific understanding of these disorders. The first ReMIND Program awards will build on recent advances in stem cell and genetic research to better understand the biology of neuropsychiatric disorders.
These awards will support discovery-stage research in neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and substance use disorders.
Two funding opportunities with distinct award structures will be offered:
ReMIND-L
ReMIND-L awards will support expansive cross-disciplinary studies led by large (L) collaborative teams applying a range of technologies and approaches.
Available Now. See Below
ReMIND-X
ReMIND-X awards will support exploratory (X) studies led by small multi-disciplinary teams to test novel models, tools, technologies, or hypotheses.
Expected Q4/2024 – Q1/2025
ReMIND-L (DISC4) applications are now open!
The ReMIND-L award is the first funding opportunity to be available under the ReMIND Program. ReMIND-L awards will support expansive, cross-disciplinary, and integrated studies led by large collaborative teams applying a range of technologies and approaches.
Outcomes of proposed projects may include:
Uncovering novel mechanistic insights into the pathobiology of neuropsychiatric disorders or further current understanding of disease mechanisms.
Addressing major bottlenecks in the study of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Extending understanding of neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms and their relevance to diverse populations.
Identifying and/or validating novel therapeutic hypotheses, targets, or biomarkers for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Proposed projects must include studies that employ stem cells or genetic research as part of the central approach or hypothesis to be tested. However, other complementary approaches that promote the utility or validity of the central approach are encouraged.
Download the ReMIND-L (DISC4) Program RFA for details regarding awards, eligibility criteria, and application information.
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.
Application Deadline April 2, 2024, at 2 p.m. PST
Upcoming Events
CIRM recently hosted a webinar and Q&A session for ReMIND-L applicants. View:
Keep Up-To-Date
Subscribe for email updates on ReMIND and other CIRM opportunities.
ReMIND-L FAQ
ReMIND-L is open to both non-profit and for-profit California-based organizations. A California organization is a non-profit or for-profit organization that employs and pays more than 50% of its employees in California and directs and controls the award activities from California.
The maximum duration of ReMIND-L awards is four years. Each ReMIND-L award will support direct project costs of up to $8 million in total. Additional funding of up to $500,000 per year (maximum of $2 million over four years) may be requested IF matching funds of equivalent or greater value are provided.
To be eligible, the proposed project must:
- Define key knowledge gap(s) or research bottleneck(s) in the study of neuropsychiatric disorders AND propose research studies to address them.
- Include studies that employ stem cells or genetic research as part of the central approach or hypothesis to be tested by the multi-disciplinary team. Applicants should provide justification for project components that do not directly involve stem cells/genetic research and describe how they complement or promote the utility and/or validity of stem cell and/or genetic research in the study of neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Justify any proposed use of non-human models and include research to validate any discoveries made in non-human model systems with comparable studies using relevant tissues or models based on human cells.
The Core applicant team must include 1 Principal Investigator and at least four co-investigators. The broader team may include any number of additional Key Personnel – including collaborators, consultants, subcontractors, etc.
All Principal Investigators and co-investigators of the core team must be employed by California-based organizations. In addition, Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators must commit at least 15% (PI) or 10% (co-I) effort to work on this project.
The broader team must include at least 1 data project manager, at least one member with relevant clinical expertise in neuropsychiatric disorders, and at least one member with relevant computational biology or bioinformatic expertise.
Non-CA-based investigators may be funded through this award as Subcontracts, provided the out-of-state organization does NOT retain the intellectual property or independent publication rights of any intellectual property (e.g., invention, technology, data) arising out of the CIRM-funded project.
In addition, collaborating non-CA investigators and organizations may contribute research activities to the overall project at no cost to the team (in-kind contribution). While non-CA investigators and organizations will not receive CIRM funds in this arrangement, the contributed research may qualify as matching funds, which would allow the applicant team to request additional CIRM funding. Applicants should refer to the section on “Matching funds” in the RFA or contact CIRM staff to learn more.
The 2024 ReMIND-L awards will support the study of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and substance use disorders.
Applications that seek to examine neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms in the context of other CNS disorders may be eligible as long as the primary focus is on elucidating neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms. Applicants should contact CIRM staff early to discuss the eligibility of the proposed research.
Yes. An investigator may be included in the core team of up to two applications. For instance, a researcher may be listed as a co-investigator on two applications OR a Principal Investigator on one application and a co-investigator on a second application. An investigator cannot be listed as a Principal Investigator on more than one application.
Questions regarding this award should be emailed to ctan@cirm.ca.gov or discovery@cirm.ca.gov with the subject line “ReMIND.”