International Society for Stem Cell Research

ISSCR Newsletter
Volume 1, No. 2A-Supplement
August 2002

We would like to add this supplement to our previous Newsletter to make you aware of imminent NIH grant deadlines.

Dr. John Thomas, Health Scientist Administrator in the Blood Disease Program at the NHLBI, kindly provided us with the following funding announcements. In addition, general information and contacts can be found at:

But first, an appeal to our community: We would like to point out that there is a dramatic shortage in providers of courses that teach how to handle/culture human ES cells and NHLBI has been very actively looking for applications to alleviate this shortage.

NHLBI is willing to contribute up to 150k/year to subvention these courses. So please, if you have ES cell experience and the capabilities to set up such a course either by yourself, or in collaboration with the listed providers of human ES cells, do so to enable the field to move on.

Please contact Dr. Thomas (ThomasJ@nhlbi.nih.gov) to discuss the specifics with him, what kind of course exactly you could offer, if they would satisfy the criteria, and how to write the most successful application (after all it will be peer reviewed).

Here the specifics of the announcement:

Short-term Courses in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture Techniques

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-054.html

NHLBI leading implementation T15 Training Program
Modeled after "Short Courses in Ethics" (T15) - Larry Friedman
Applicants will develop and conduct short-term courses
Laboratory research techniques for human ES cell lines
Including hands-on experience to maintain and use human ES cells
Initiated by NIH and implemented by 12 Institutes/Centers

RECEIPT DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2002

Although this is of course an equal opportunity affair, West Coast dwellers are encouraged to apply.

Suzanne Kadereit
Newsletter Editor

Other human ES cell funding opportunities from NHLBI in stem cell biology & cell-based therapy:

RESEARCH ON STEM CELL BIOLOGY AND CELL-BASED THERAPIES FOR HEART, LUNG, BLOOD, AND SLEEP DISORDERS

http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-02-019.html

Proposed initiative to accelerate research leading to new cell-based therapies for regenerative and reparative medicine (HL-02-019)
NHLBI intends in FY 2003 to fund up to 12 to 15 grants
Project period of up to four years
Budget up to $350,000 per year (direct costs)

RECEIPT DATE: September 20, 2002 ¨

TRAINING INITIATIVES FOR STEM CELL AND HUMAN ES CELL LINE RESEARCHCareer Enhancement Award For Stem Cell Research

http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-02-069.html

NIH K18 training program implemented 5 Institutes including NHLBI
For investigators re-directing research towards stem cells
Six months up to 1 or 2 years

Development awards--for independent, but junior candidates
Leadership awards--for re-tooling senior, established investigators
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES: Applications submitted in response to
this program announcement will be accepted at the standard application deadlines for Research Career Awards, which are available at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/dates.htm.

Application deadlines are also indicated in the PHS 398 application kit.

HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH RESOURCE INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENT AWARD

The purpose of this initiative is to increase the research resource capacity for basic research using human embryonic stem cells. Both R24 and SBIR/STTR mechanisms are used.

Applicants may apply only if they have human ES cells listed on the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry [http://escr.nih.gov/].

For information on PAR-02-023, see http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-RR-02-006.html.

This funding is particularly for the listed distributors of human ES cells, to provide them with the necessary money to cover costs of maintenance/expansion of the cell lines in the registry. And there with to speed up distribution. Although this is closed, it will be re-issued, we will keep you posted.

PLASTICITY OF HUMAN STEM CELLS IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-025.html

This initiative invites applications for studies on the plasticity and behavior of human stem cells, and regulation of their replication, differentiation and function in the nervous system.

NHLBI is participating in this RFA and is interested in neural stem cell research and neuroregulatory problems related to heart, lung, and blood diseases, and sleep disorders.

Receipt Date: still open, see dates on web site.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLEMENTS FOR HUMAN ES CELL LINE RESEARCH

The NIH is implementing a policy permitting Federal funding of research on existing human embryonic stem (ES) cell lines that fulfill President Bush's eligibility criteria.

Links to human ES cell research information are given on the NHLBI web site at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/escells.htm

Current NHLBI grantees may request administrative supplements to enable the incorporation of human embryonic stem cell work into active research projects with one or two years of funding remaining.

If you wish to apply for an administrative supplement to your grant, contact NHLBI:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/escells.htm#contact http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/escells.htm

The NHLBI program announcement on administrative supplements for human embryonic stem cell research is listed at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HL-02-009.html

Issued January 29, 2002 (NOT-HL-02-009)

Award not to exceed $50,000 in direct costs/year for a 1 or 2 year period

NHLBI intends in FY 2002 to fund up to 40 supplements

Four Receipt Dates: March 15, April 15, May 15, & July 15
2002

These grants will be re-issued, we will keep you posted.

For Additional Information

If you would like additional information about these and other programs regarding research using stem cells and human ES cell lines, contact the NHLBI program officer:

Dr. John W. Thomas
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources / NHLBI / NIH
Two Rockledge Centre, Room 10154
6701 Rockledge Drive, Mail Stop 7950
Bethesda, MD 20892-7950
Phone: 301-435-0050
E-mail: ThomasJ@nhlbi.nih.gov
Fax: 301-451-5453
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/escells.htm

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