Hard-copy Application: Monday, February 11, 2013 (postmark)

On-line Application: Monday, February 11, 2013 (11:59 p.m. EST)

The Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) is now accepting applications for the 2013 cycle of seed grants. The HSCI Seed Grant program provides early-stage funding to innovative projects in the field of stem cell research, including basic, translational, and clinical research. While basic research proposals will be reviewed separately from those with a focus on translational/clinical research, in a change from last year, no award slots will be set aside specifically for translationally/clinically-targeted proposals.

In determining whether a proposal falls into the translational (vs. basic science) category, please keep in mind that the objective of an HSCI translational seed grant is to stimulate and facilitate the development of proof of concept, preclinical research, and, ultimately, human translational trials to treat pediatric and adult disease.  These seed grants are intended to foster the discovery phase of translational research, in which possible therapeutic cellular products, their mechanisms and pathways, and/or models are generated. The next phase of translational research, i.e. preclinical research, involves manufacturing and animal studies, which are designed to fulfill all FDA/Regulatory requirements.

While scientific merit is the chief criteria used for awarding funding, special consideration is given to projects for which it might be difficult to acquire funding from traditional sources, i.e. projects that are considered “high risk/high reward”, or because the proposed research is ineligible for federal funding under current restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research. HSCI Seed Grants are open to any investigator with a Harvard affiliation.

HSCI funds seed grant projects at $75,000 in direct costs and up to 20% (of total direct costs, dependent upon recipient’s home institution policy) indirect costs per year, for a period of up to two years.

Applying for a 2013 HSCI Seed Grant requires submission of both a hard-copy and an on-line application. For further information regarding the HSCI Seed Grant program, or for questions regarding the application process, please contact Robert Perez (robert_perez@harvard.edu).

Click here to access the RFP, which provides details regarding the application, submission, and review processes.

Click here to access the 2013 HSCI Seed Grant FAQ, which contains useful information regarding collaborative proposals, eligibility requirements, application components, etc.

Click here to access the 2013 HSCI Seed Grant online application.