Grants and Contracts Awarded

Investigator Initiated Research Projects and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Stem Cell Research

A total of $53.1 million in Investigator Initiated Research Projects and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Stem Cell Research awards were made to stimulate and support scientific investigations on aspects of stem cell biology that will lead to a better understanding of the unique properties of stem cells and allow their use to treat disease. Awards were made to 78 investigators, with a maximum of $240,000 for two-year IDEA proposals and a maximum of $1,080,000 for investigator-initiated projects.

Targeted RFA for Investigation of iPS and Other Derivation Approaches

Twenty awards totaling $16.3 million were made for Targeted Investigation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS) and Other Derivation Approaches. These aim to stimulate and support investigations to develop improved methods for deriving pluripotent stem cell lines; defining the reprogramming mechanisms; and comparing the utility of iPS with embryonic and other pluripotent stem cells for use in disease models and potential therapeutic applications.

Shared Facilities/Resources and Equipment/Instrumentation for Stem Cell Research

Shared Facilities/Resources and Equipment/Instrumentation for Stem Cell Research awards were made to nine institutions, for a total of $32.4 million. The shared use facilities will help researchers isolate, derive, and characterize stem cell lines, including disease specific cell lines; develop animal models; provide high-throughput analyses of cells; and maintain quality control and laboratory supplies needed for stem cell experiments.

Consortia Planning Awards

On September 19, 2008, the ESSCB funding committee recommended $2 million in awards to 18 institutions. These one-year planning contracts are designed to assist New York state research institutions in the development of research consortia and other emerging opportunities in stem cell research. Funds are provided for planning purposes only; no research activities are funded through these awards.

Merit Peer Review

NYSTEM received three high-quality proposals in response to a Request for Proposals issued on November 5, 2007 for an Independent Scientific and Technical Merit Peer Review contractor. On January 7, 2008, the Funding Committee of the Empire State Stem Cell Board voted to authorize the Department of Health to proceed with the negotiation of a contract with the successful bidder, the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). The anticipated start date for this five-year contract is April 1, 2008.

Institutional Development

On January 7, 2008, the Funding Committee also voted to award a total of $14.5 million to support stem cell research and training at 25 institutions that responded to a Request for Applications issued on November 14, 2007. The one-year institutional development awards were designed to increase the capacity of New York State research institutions to engage in stem cell research. Together these awards provide $6.1 million for direct stem cell research, $7.4 million for stem cell research infrastructure, and $1 million for stem cell research training.