ISCRM-MolES Pilot Funding

Goal: Seed new interdisciplinary research between the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) and MolES, as well as support preliminary data generation.

Due Date: Friday, April 10, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Funding Support

  • Selected projects will receive up to $5,000 in research funding and one ISCRM Predoctoral Fellowship.
  • ISCRM predoctoral fellowship provides $22,050 in salary (plus benefits) support for a graduate student.
    • In addition, a portion of tuition costs will be waived at the same percentage of the ISCRM covered salary costs.
    • Principal Investigators (PIs) must pay the remaining amount of salary/tuition costs.
  • We anticipate funding one to two projects from the scientific exchange.
  • Applicants must have attended the scientific exchange meeting in 2026.
  • NOA’s will be sent out in May 2026.

Mentors should be aware that ISCRM funding does not fully cover trainee costs. It is the responsibility of the trainee’s mentor to cover costs that exceed the award.

Note: ISCRM faculty who apply for ISCRM-MOLES pilot funding can also apply for the regular ISCRM fellows program.

Funding Restrictions

  • Must be UW faculty member with funds used by June 2027 or forfeited.
  • Must have Co-PIs or Co-Investigators (Co-Is) consisting of one ISCRM and one MolES-affiliated faculty who attended the scientific exchange.
  • Support for new projects; not to supplement or extend ongoing funded research. $5,000 in funds can be used to support materials, supplies or support services. Funds cannot be used for travel expenses.

Application Materials

The applicant must submit all of the materials listed below in a single PDF format to the ISCRM Fellows Program Coordinator, Leena Derifield (pranikay@uw.edu).

1) Research plan and career goals of the applicant
Two-paged document (11-point font, 0.5 inch margins) that includes:

  • Hypothesis and Specific Aim(s) (half page)
  • Background/Significance/Innovation/Preliminary Data (up to three figures; 3/4 to one page)
  • Research Strategy and Methods (3/4 to half a page)
  • References (one a separate page; not included in the two-page requirement)

2) ISCRM-MOLES connection
Answer the following questions within half to one page (11-point font and 0.5 inch margins):

  • Statement about how the ISCRM PI and MolES PI are collaborating and the impact of the collaboration (two to three sentences).
  • Project timeline/milestones/measures of success (can be a figure).
  • How the results of the work will be utilized or might lead to future funding.

3) Co-mentors’ training plan and qualifications of the graduate student
One page that includes:

  • An evaluation of the Student’s strengths, areas that will be strengthened in the training period, and an assessment of their potential for a career in research.
  • Collaborative Mentoring/training relationship on the research project.
  • Expected trainee milestones, including: publications and grant applications and a plan for training in scientific writing; seminar presentation; the basics of career advancement in academia and industry; and the fundamentals of laboratory management.
  • A commitment of resources to help facilitate success of the project.
  • A funding plan for the trainee at the end of their support in our program.

4) Biosketches of the team

  • Details of two PIs and one proposed graduate fellow.

Fellow Requirements

  • A progress report (two and half pages) will be required at the end of the award period.
  • Award recipients are also required to present their proposal/progress at the ISCRM Fellows Symposium in July (two times):
    • (1) a presentation on the proposal before the award year, and (2) a presentation on the progress toward the end of the award year.