Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund - Commercialization Program

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) Commercialization Program is administered by TEDCO on behalf of the State of Maryland and is designed to advance human stem cell-based technologies toward clinical development and market readiness. The program reflects the state’s strategic priority to accelerate the development of therapies, diagnostics, and enabling technologies that address human diseases, injuries, and conditions. By supporting translational research and fostering collaboration between private companies and research institutions, the program aims to strengthen Maryland’s biotechnology ecosystem while promoting innovation in regenerative medicine. The primary objective of the Commercialization Program is to provide funding to companies developing technologies with significant commercial potential. Eligible technologies may include therapeutic, diagnostic, or enabling tools involving human stem cells or their derivatives. The program also includes an optional collaboration component that encourages partnerships between companies and Maryland-based research institutions. This collaboration can unlock additional funding and is intended to facilitate knowledge transfer and accelerate product development through shared expertise and infrastructure. Funding is structured as a grant, with awards capped at 400000 dollars for standard applications. Applicants proposing qualified collaborations with Maryland research institutions may request an additional 100000 dollars in second-tier funding, bringing the maximum total award to 500000 dollars. Projects must be completed within a 12-month period. Funds are milestone-driven and may be discontinued if progress does not meet expectations or if the technology fails to demonstrate sufficient commercial viability. Allowable costs include research expenses, limited overhead up to 10 percent, and domestic travel capped at 5000 dollars, while international travel is not permitted. Eligibility is restricted to startup or established companies that have secured or are in the process of securing intellectual property rights for the proposed technology. Applicants must demonstrate proof-of-concept data supporting scientific validity and commercial feasibility. All funded research activities must take place within Maryland, and any subcontracted work must also comply with this geographic requirement. Companies must designate a single principal investigator, though multiple collaborators and co-investigators are permitted. Applicants are encouraged to consult with MSCRF prior to submission to confirm eligibility and alignment with program goals. The application process requires submission through the MSCRF online portal and includes detailed technical, commercial, and operational documentation. Required components include a technology description, intellectual property summary, commercialization strategy, research plan with milestones, executive summary, and detailed budget justification. Additional materials such as biosketches, supporting literature, collaboration letters, and regulatory compliance documentation are also required. Applications must adhere strictly to formatting and page limits, and incomplete or noncompliant submissions will be rejected without review. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage review process beginning with a compliance check followed by scientific and commercial peer review. Review criteria include the novelty and feasibility of the technology, strength of the commercialization plan, adequacy of preliminary data, clarity of milestones, and alignment with program objectives. Applicants with competitive scores may be invited to present their proposals in person to the review committee. Final funding decisions are made by the Commission based on reviewer rankings and programmatic considerations. For the current funding cycle, applications must be submitted by June 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Peer review presentations are scheduled for the week of July 27, 2026, and award decisions are expected in September 2026. The submission portal opened on December 1, 2025. The program operates on recurring funding cycles, typically occurring in mid-January and mid-July. Questions and inquiries can be directed to the MSCRF team via email at mscrfinfo@tedcomd.com.

Ensure strong proof of concept data; clearly articulate commercialization pathway; provide measurable milestones; demonstrate IP strength and competitive advantage; align project with Maryland biotech impact