Grants and Contracts Awarded

Shared Facilities for Stem Cell Research

Awards were made to seven institutions, for a total of $27.3 million, to support shared facilities for stem cell research.  These 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.

Empire State Stem Cell Scholars: Fellow-to-Faculty Awards in Stem Cell Research

Awards were made to three institutions to support Empire State Stem Cell Scholars, for a total of $3.2 million.  These scholars are eligible for up to two years of continued postdoctoral training in stem cell-relevant research, followed by up to three years of funding for independent stem cell research at the faculty level.  The awards will enable New York State to attract and retain the most promising and exceptionally talented postdoctoral fellows in the early stages of their careers, then transition them to independent tenure track positions at institutions within New York State.

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

A total of $34.7 million in Investigator Initiated Research Projects and Innovative, Developmental or Exploratory Activities (IDEA) in Stem Cell Research awards were made in a second round of funding.  These awards will 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 diseases. 52 awards were made to 49 investigators at 15 institutions across the state.  Investigator initiated awards are for up to $1.08 million over three years and IDEA awards are for up to $330,000 over two years

Development and Implementation of College and University Curricula Concerning Stem Cell Science and Related Ethical, Legal and Societal Implications

Awards were made to five institutions for a total of $1.43 million to support the development of an undergraduate level course, or modules within a course, on stem cell science and its ethical, legal and social implications.

Summer Undergraduate Experience in Stem Cell Research

Three institutions received awards for a total of $0.7 million to create opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research in the rapidly advancing field of stem cell biology; to deepen their understanding of the field and learn specialized techniques under the guidance of an experienced stem cell investigator; and to foster their appreciation of the broader context in which stem cell research occurs, including related cultural, historical, clinical and ethical issues.

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.