Alpha Clinic Services & CIRM Funding Opportunities

Hosted by: UCLA Health Alpha Clinic

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) funding plays a critical role in advancing regenerative medicine, gene, and cell therapy research at UCLA—from early discovery to first‑in‑human clinical trials. UCLA investigators considering a CIRM application are strongly encouraged to engage early with the UCLA Alpha Clinic, which provides coordinated, CIRM‑aligned support across discovery, translational, and clinical research stages.

Drs. Noah Federman and Laurie Shaker‑Irwin lead the CIRM‑funded UCLA Alpha Clinic, partnering closely with CTSI and the Broad Stem Cell Research Center (BSCRC) to help investigators navigate UCLA resources and position their projects for success at every stage of the CIRM pipeline. The Alpha Clinic also offers funding support for pre-award preparatory work and supplementary post-award initiatives.

To take advantage of these services, start here with our CRIM funding opportunities interest survey:CIRM Interest Survey

To stay up to date with CIRM announcements related to these grant opportunities, sign up here: CIRM Announcement Sign Up
Discovery Stage Research Awards (DISC4)

Supporting Bold, Collaborative Science at the Earliest Stages

CIRM’s Discovery Stage Research (DISC4) Awards support large‑scale, multidisciplinary research programs that address foundational scientific questions and critical bottlenecks in regenerative medicine. These awards are designed to generate new biological insights, technological advances, and disease understanding that can ultimately enable future therapeutic development.

DISC4 represents CIRM’s investment in team‑based, high‑impact discovery science, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and a clear view toward downstream translational potential.

Learn more about CIRM DISC programs

Who Should Apply
DISC4 awards are well suited for UCLA investigators who:

Lead or participate in large, multidisciplinary research teams
Collaborate across departments, schools, or institutions
Address foundational questions in stem cell biology, disease mechanisms, or regenerative medicine technologies
Seek to remove scientific bottlenecks that currently limit translation

DISC4 applications typically involve five or more California‑based investigators and support integrated, collaborative research programs rather than single‑lab projects.

What DISC4 Supports

DISC4 awards support comprehensive discovery‑stage research, including:

Multidisciplinary studies of disease biology and regenerative mechanisms
Development of innovative stem cell‑based or gene‑based technologies
Identification of new therapeutic targets or biomarkers
Research addressing key knowledge gaps that impede translation

Projects are typically funded for up to four years, enabling teams to pursue ambitious, coordinated research aims.

Current Timeline (As of Spring 2026)

DISC4 pre‑submission is required
Pre‑submission opened: April 27, 2026
Pre‑submission deadline: June 2026 (annually; subject to change)
Full applications are invited following pre‑submission review

Investigators are encouraged to review the DISC4 Program Announcement and monitor CIRM’s website for updates.

Preclinical Development Awards (PDEV)

Accelerating Promising Therapies Toward IND Clearance

CIRM’s Preclinical Development (PDEV) Awards are designed to advance promising stem cell‑based and genetic therapy candidates through the critical preclinical stage and position them for FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance and clinical trial startup.

The PDEV program focuses on structured, milestone‑driven development and reflects CIRM’s active partnership model, supporting investigators as they navigate the scientific, regulatory, and operational complexities of preclinical development.

Learn more about the PDEV program

Who Should Apply

PDEV awards are well suited for UCLA investigators and research teams who:

Have a well‑defined therapeutic candidate
Are ready to complete IND‑enabling preclinical studies
Seek funding and strategic guidance to transition from translation into early clinical development

The program supports both early‑stage and late‑stage PDEV projects, depending on readiness, with the shared expected outcome of FDA IND clearance for the proposed therapy.

What PDEV Supports

CIRM PDEV awards may support a range of activities, including:

Candidate optimization and validation
IND‑enabling safety and toxicology studies
Manufacturing and CMC‑related readiness activities
Regulatory interactions with the FDA
Clinical trial startup activities following IND clearance

The expected outcome for all PDEV awards is IND clearance for the stem cell‑based or genetic therapy candidate, positioning the program for entry into clinical trials.

Current Timeline (As of April 2026)

Next PDEV funding cycle expected to open: June–July 2026
Anticipated application deadline: October 2026
Updated program announcements and application details are expected prior to the opening of the cycle

Investigators are encouraged to monitor CIRM’s website and sign up for email alerts for the most current information.

Clinical Trial Stage Awards (CLIN2)

Accelerating Regenerative Medicine Therapies to Patients

CIRM’s Clinical Trial Stage (CLIN2) Awards are designed to support early‑ to mid‑stage clinical trials of promising regenerative medicine therapies, including stem cell‑based and genetic therapies, that address serious unmet medical needs.

Through the CLIN2 program, CIRM operates as an active partner, providing not only significant funding but also scientific, clinical, and operational engagement to help projects successfully advance through clinical development.

Who Should Apply

CLIN2 awards are intended for UCLA investigators or partnered teams who:

Have an IND‑cleared or near‑IND‑ready therapy
Are prepared to initiate or continue a Phase 1 or Phase 1/2 clinical trial
Have a strong clinical development, regulatory, and operational plan
Aim to generate clinical data that meaningfully advances a therapy toward patients

CLIN2 projects must demonstrate both scientific rigor and trial readiness, reflecting CIRM’s emphasis on feasibility, patient impact, and translational momentum.

Learn More about the CLIN2 program

What CLIN2 Supports

CIRM CLIN2 awards may support a wide range of clinical trial activities, including:

Phase 1 or Phase 1/2 clinical trial execution
Clinical protocol refinement and trial conduct
Regulatory submissions and FDA interactions
Clinical operations, data management, and statistical analysis
Manufacturing, quality, and supply‑chain activities required to support the trial

Projects may receive up to approximately $15 million in funding, with a project period of up to 48 months, depending on scope and design.

Current Context (As of Spring 2026) and Timelines

This grant has four cycles per year with the next round of applications anticipated in July
CLIN2 remains a core CIRM funding mechanism for advancing therapies into and through early clinical testing
New CLIN2 opportunities are released periodically, based on CIRM’s strategic priorities
Investigators are encouraged to monitor CIRM announcements and engage early around planning and readiness

Take the Next Step

To facilitate early discussion of clinical readiness, resource needs, and proposal strategy, investigators are encouraged to complete the CIRM Funding Opportunity Interest Survey:

CIRM Interest Survey

The Alpha Clinic team will follow up with you—and/or your designee—to schedule a consultation tailored to your program’s clinical stage and goals.

Review CIRM Funding Opportunities Here

To stay up to date with CIRM announcements related to these grant opportunities:

Sign up Here