Stem Cell Network Research Funding Competition – LOI
Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Deadlines
Academic Unit: Inquire with unit
Memorial Deadline: RIS Review not required for LOI
External Deadline: Monday 21st, September 2026
Description
For more than 20 years, the Stem Cell Network has made strategic investments in stem cell and regenerative medicine research, helping to position Canada as a global leader in the field. As Canada’s only national stem cell and regenerative medicine network, SCN’s research funding translates Canadian regenerative medicine research discoveries from the innovation and developmental stages through pre-clinical evaluation and into clinical trials and commercial applications.
SCN funds translational research through a suite of funding programs. Through these award programs, SCN powers stem cell and regenerative medicine research across the clinical pipeline in more than 26 disease areas, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurological diseases.
During the 2025-2029 period, SCN will hold two peer-reviewed funding competitions to identify the research projects to receive funding. The first competition kicked off in September 2024 and offered two- and three-year awards that began in April 2025.
SCN is now pleased to announce the second research funding competition.
The Round 2 competition officially launches Monday, August 31, 2026, and offers 22-month awards. Four regenerative medicine research programs are available that focus on innovation, translation toward the clinic, and policy and societal impact.
SCN is proud to collaborate with two organizations to offer joint-funding award opportunities. These organizations are:
- Azrieli Foundation (research focus: neurodevelopmental disorders)
- Breakthrough T1D (research focus: type 1 diabetes)
Watch the webinar recording to learn more about SCN’s new research funding competition.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) submission process opens August 31, 2026, and is mandatory for all SCN funding programs. To be clear: applicants MUST submit an LOI to be considered for the full application stage of the research competition. LOIs will be used to identify peer review requirements, gauge the level of interest in SCN’s programs, and ensure projects fall within SCN’s regenerative medicine mandate.
- LOI submissions open on Monday, August 31, 2026.
- LOI submission deadline is Monday, September 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
- Full application submission will open to eligible LOI applicants on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Full application submission deadline is Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PDT).
- See here for more information.