NEW YORK STATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT OR GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

The New York State Department of Health invites eligible applicants to submit applications in response to this Request for Applications (RFA), which provides funding to accelerate translational and preclinical through clinical applications of stem cell research for prevention and/or treatment of disease. The intent of these milestone-based awards is to support disease-focused, health outcome-based, multi-disciplinary collaborative research proposals. Such proposals will address an unmet medical need using stem cells as a basis for the development of clinical treatments/therapies or will apply a new technology or platform based on stem cells. This RFA seeks to fund applications presenting a coherent, goal-oriented project and is not intended to address a series of separate but inter-related projects as would an NIH Program Project or Center grant.

The Consortia to Accelerate Therapeutic Applications of Stem Cells awards will provide funding for up to four years. The consortium may involve investigators engaged in basic, translational and clinical stem cell research. The proposed project will have a patient-oriented, health outcome focus with the intent to proceed through clinical application. It may focus on any disease/condition, group of diseases/conditions or organ system(s). The goal(s) of a proposed project may be based on a specific platform or technology such as new methods for the production or differentiation of stem cells and their derivatives to desired cell types, new methods for tracking or delivering stem cells or their derivatives in vivo, or use of a new animal model. Importantly, however, the goal of this funding mechanism is not to develop new platforms or technologies but to develop new clinical applications. Further, it is expected that applicants will have previously established proof-of-principle data to support the feasibility and timeliness/readiness of the proposed project.

NYSTEM, a program of the New York State Department of Health, whose purpose is to administer stem cell research funding based on recommendations and advice from the Empire State Stem Cell Board, will be recommending approximately five awards. The number of awards made will be contingent upon the quality of applications submitted and the availability of funds. The total direct costs for the duration of a single award are capped at $13.3 million.

ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS:

The applicant must be a New York State not-for-profit or governmental organization. Organizations awarded funds will be expected to monitor funds, maintain individual accounts and fulfill other fiscal management criteria. Subcontracting and collaborating organizations may include public, not-for-profit and for-profit entities within or outside of New York State.

The eligible Principal Investigator (PI) is employed by the applicant institution and has the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed Workplan. Collaborations between investigators at multiple institutions and for-profit entities are not required, but are encouraged when necessary to engage the most appropriate expertise and achieve the goals of the project. An individual may serve as a PI on only one application in response to this RFA and only one application will be accepted from any single institution. In the event that more than one application is received from a PI or institution, all applications from that PI or institution will be disqualified. Individuals and institutions may appear in any number of applications as collaborators, subcontractors, consultants or contributors.

APPLICATION:

This RFA will use a two-part application process to enable prospective applicants to assess both their readiness for a competitive response and the appropriateness of the application to this funding mechanism. This will also facilitate assembly of the peer review panels for applications received.

The projected contract start date is March 1, 2013.

This RFA, including application forms, has been posted on the Department of Health's public website at http://www.health.ny.gov/funding/rfa/0911051012/.

NEW YORK STATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT OR GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

The New York State Department of Health invites eligible applicants to submit applications in response to this Request for Applications (RFA), to stimulate and support basic, applied (mechanistic, technological), translational, pre-clinical and clinical scientific investigations on any aspect of stem cell biology that will lead to a better understanding of the unique properties of stem cells and allow their utilization to treat disease. Research in the area of human embryonic stem cells is encouraged, as are studies that promote translation of stem cell science to therapeutic applications, such as new approaches to directed differentiation, including lineage differentiation (or transdifferentiation).

NYSTEM, a program of the New York State Department of Health, administers stem cell research funding based on recommendations and advice from the Empire State Stem Cell Board. All awards will be financed by the Empire State Stem Cell Trust Fund. The number of awards and total funds awarded per application will be contingent upon the quality of applications submitted as well as the size and scope of the proposed projects. Approximately $25 million is available to support approximately 34 awards from this RFA. Based on its assessment that the field is ready to pursue additional investigations, the Funding Committee of the ESSCB may determine that additional funds should be made available under this RFA to support additional awards. The total direct costs for the duration of a single IIRP award are capped at $900,000; the total direct costs for the duration of a single IDEA award are capped at $275,000.

ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS:

The applicant must be a not-for-profit or governmental organization in New York State. Organizations awarded funds will be expected to monitor funds, maintain individual accounts and fulfill other fiscal management criteria. Subcontracting and collaborating organizations may include public, not-for-profit and for-profit entities within or outside of New York State.

The eligible Principal Investigator (PI) is employed by the applicant institution and has the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed Workplan. Postdoctoral fellows and other dependent research staff are not eligible to apply.

APPLICATION:

Applications are due December 1, 2011 by 6:00 PM.

The projected contract start date is December 1, 2012.

This RFA, including application forms, has been posted on the Department of Health's public website at http://www.health.ny.gov/funding/rfa/0912180242/.

MUNICIPALITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

The previous Request for Applications that appeared in the June 1 issue of the State Register, with a deadline of September 1, 2011 is hereby rescinded. A new application process will allow for coordination with a Consolidated Funding Application, to be coordinated with the Regional Economic Development Councils.

Municipalities and not-for profit organizations with an ownership interest in the property may apply for funds under Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993 for the acquisition, development and improvement of parks, historic properties and heritage areas, and for the planning of such projects. Competitive applications will be accepted through the Consolidated Funding Application, notice of which will appear in this or a future edition of the State Register.

This is a matching grant program, therefore grant recipients will be expected to provide at least 50 percent match to these awards, unless the project is in a location with a poverty rate (according to current census data) of ten percent or higher, in which case grant recipients must provide a minimum of 25 percent match.

Applications and information on workshops can be found at in the general application instructions to appear in the State Register, or contact: Melinda Scott, Chief of Grants, Bureau of Grants Management, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, Agency Bldg. One, 16th Fl., Albany, NY 12238, (518) 474-0427, Fax (518) 486-7377