ASCC Strategic Development Fund

This round of funding is now complete. 

To view the funded projects, please click here.

The Australian Stem Cell Centre invites applications from commercial companies or academic researchers seeking financial support to apply for the ASCC Strategic Development Fund. The fund is designed to develop and accelerate projects in stem cell research towards a well-defined commercial, medical or academic goal. 

Aims

The Strategic Development Fund will provide financial support to develop and accelerate new and innovative projects in stem cell research towards a well-defined goal. By awarding grants under this new scheme, the ASCC aims to:

• identify and invest in early stage, stand alone projects, for the delivery of a definitive outcome
• identify and invest in discrete projects that may have a short term commercial outcome or objective that would otherwise not be funded due to financial risk
• identify and invest in those projects that may fall within existing conventional funding gaps
• identify and invest in projects that may currently fall outside of an existing Collaborative Stream

Eligibility

Australian for-profit and not-for-profit organisations; public or private institutions, with appropriate facilities. The proposed project may be carried out in collaboration with research already funded in the ASCC’s Collaborative Streams provided there is no overlap or duplication with currently funded scientific aims.

Duration

Maximum of 18 months. No extensions of funding are contemplated.

Amount

The ASCC is providing a total of $1 million in grants with each grant up to a maximum of $250,000. Funding will commence no later than 1 December 2009.

Application process

Any individual or group with the skills, knowledge and infrastructure support required to carry out the proposed stem cell related project is invited to submit an application that includes:

• the title of the project and the location of the facilities that will house the project
• the names and qualifications of the investigators and roles in the project
• full contact details of the investigators
• the end-goals and specific aims of the project
• a short history (<300 words) of the project to date   
• an outline of the project (<500 words) of the specific work for which support is sought. The outline should describe the technical approaches that will be used to achieve the project’s goals
• a timeline with milestones and expected outcomes
• a budget containing the following categories: personnel, laboratory supplies, animal costs (if applicable), miscellaneous items costing <$1,000
• the current IP position and future prospects and arrangements for IP

Reviewing process

The review panel will consist of the Chairman of the SAB (or delegate), the ASCC Scientific Director and the Senior Manager - Research Translation and additional external experts. The following criteria will be used to assess the scientific and technical merit of the proposals and their chances of commercial success:

• impact and significance
• innovation
• feasibility
• the track record of the investigators
• the potential for commercialisation

Recommendations for funding will take into consideration

• scientific and technical merit
• the balance between feasibility and innovation and between  basic research and commercial application
• progress to date

Announcements of awards by end October 2009

Funding is conditional upon receipt of all relevant ethical approvals and laboratory certifications.


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