Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund - Manufacturing Assistance Program

The Manufacturing Assistance Program is administered by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, a state-backed initiative focused on advancing human stem cell research and commercialization within Maryland. The fund prioritizes accelerating the development of therapies that address serious human diseases and conditions, with a strong emphasis on translating research into clinical and commercial applications. This specific program is designed to address one of the most significant barriers in the field: the scalable and compliant manufacturing of cell-based therapies. By supporting infrastructure and production capabilities, the program aims to strengthen Maryland’s biotechnology ecosystem and workforce. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to provide financial support to companies and organizations seeking to establish or expand Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant production of stem cell-based therapies within the state. Eligible projects must involve human stem cells or their derivatives and demonstrate a clear path toward commercialization. Funding can be used to build or acquire manufacturing platforms such as modular facilities, prefabricated clean rooms, or closed-system production technologies. The program emphasizes efficiency, scalability, and alignment with market needs, ensuring that supported technologies can transition effectively from development to clinical or commercial use. Applicants must be organizations located in Maryland with the capacity and resources to execute the proposed project. All funded work must be conducted within the state, and the manufacturing facility must be physically located in Maryland. A key requirement of the program is a mandatory one-to-one match of non-state funding, reinforcing the expectation that applicants bring additional financial commitment to the project. Projects must include clearly defined milestones and are limited to a maximum performance period of 24 months, during which the manufacturing platform must become operational. Funding awards are structured as reimbursable grants, with payments tied to the successful completion of predefined milestones. The maximum award amount is capped at one million dollars per project. Funds may be reduced based on available appropriations or application quality. Applicants should carefully align their budgets with milestone deliverables, as reimbursement requires proof of expenditures. Indirect costs are limited to ten percent of the award, and certain expenses such as international travel are not allowable. The program also allows flexibility in project design while maintaining strict accountability through milestone tracking and reporting. The application process requires submission through the MSCRF online portal and includes detailed technical, operational, and business documentation. Applicants must provide a comprehensive project description, executive summary, budget justification, and supporting materials such as biosketches and letters of support. Additional required components include responses to structured web-form questions covering intellectual property, public health impact, bioethics considerations, and the anticipated impact on Maryland’s biotechnology sector. Applications must adhere to strict formatting and page limits, and failure to comply may result in disqualification. Applications undergo a multi-stage review process beginning with a compliance check, followed by scientific and commercial evaluation by external reviewers. High-scoring applications advance to a full committee review, which includes an in-person presentation by the principal investigator and company leadership. Evaluation criteria focus on the significance of the manufacturing project, technical feasibility, commercialization potential, team qualifications, and alignment with program goals. Final funding decisions are made by the commission based on reviewer rankings and programmatic considerations. The submission deadline for the current funding cycle is June 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Peer review is scheduled for the week of July 27, 2026, with award announcements expected in September 2026. The program operates on recurring cycles, typically occurring in mid-January and mid-July. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to avoid technical issues. For questions or technical assistance, applicants may contact the program via email at mscrfinfo@tedcomd.com. The program’s recurring structure provides ongoing opportunities for organizations to seek support for advancing stem cell manufacturing capabilities.

Align milestones tightly with budget and ensure clear commercialization pathway; emphasize manufacturing feasibility and measurable metrics; demonstrate strong Maryland economic and workforce impact