Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Announces New Funding Opportunities

Supporting bold ideas and innovation along the regenerative medicine pipeline, with new funding levels to accelerate commercialization.

COLUMBIA, Md. (November 10, 2026) - The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (MSCRC) has announced the release of requests for applications (RFAs) for the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund's (MSCRF) second funding cycle of fiscal year 2027 (FY27). Funding is available through seven grant programs: Manufacturing Assistance, Clinical, Validation, Commercialization, Discovery, Fellowship and Launch. Applications are due January 20, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Companies and nonprofit organizations based outside Maryland are also eligible to apply, provided the funded research is conducted in the state.

Spanning the entire regenerative medicine pipeline, MSCRF's grant programs support researchers, clinicians and biotechnology companies-from early scientific discoveries and technology validation to clinical trials, commercialization and manufacturing. These programs bridge critical funding gaps, encourage academic-industry partnerships and accelerate the translation of innovative research into therapies and technologies that benefit patients while strengthening Maryland's biotechnology ecosystem.

This cycle unveils a major enhancement; we now offer two funding levels under the Commercialization Grant Program: up to $250,000 for projects demonstrating early-stage feasibility, and up to $400,000 for advanced product development.

The new structure addresses a critical financing gap for newly formed companies. Promising innovations often require feasibility studies and proof-of-concept data to attract initial investment, yet securing funding to generate that evidence can be challenging. By supporting achievement of these early milestones, MSCRF aims to help startups validate their technologies, reduce development risks and become more attractive to investors, while enabling more advanced companies to progress toward regulatory and clinical development.

"At MSCRF, we believe bold ideas deserve a chance, even before they are ready for traditional investment," said Ruchika Nijhara, Ph.D., executive director of MSCRF. "Too often, promising startups face a catch-22: they need feasibility data to attract investors but lack the financing to generate that data. Our new funding structure helps bridge that gap while also supporting more advanced companies in reaching critical development milestones. We want to give promising innovations a stronger path from the laboratory to the marketplace-and ultimately to patients."

MSCRF also continues to encourage academic-industry partnerships through its Second-Tier Funding mechanism, which provides up to an additional $100,000 for eligible public-private collaborations.

Maryland has made a real commitment to stem cell research, and we're seeing the impact of that investment," said Rachel Brewster, Ph.D., chair of the MSCRC. "What's exciting is that we're supporting both the early discoveries that open up new possibilities and the work needed to turn those discoveries into treatments. By investing across that entire spectrum, we're helping promising ideas move forward, supporting Maryland's growing biotechnology sector and ultimately bringing new therapies closer to patients."

Since its establishment in 2006, MSCRF has supported more than 750 research projects, investing over $250 million in stem cell research, translational development and commercialization. These investments have helped advance promising therapies and technologies, support biotechnology companies and drive economic growth across Maryland.

Application Information

Deadline: January 20, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. EST

Researchers, clinicians, nonprofit organizations and biotechnology companies are encouraged to review the RFAs, eligibility requirements and application guidelines at www.mscrf.org.

For questions, contact [email protected].

About the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission and Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund

Established under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006, the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) supports innovative stem cell research, translational development, and commercialization to advance therapies and technologies that improve human health. Governed by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission, MSCRF strengthens Maryland's regenerative medicine ecosystem, fosters biotechnology innovation, and drives economic growth.