Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) Commercialization Award
TEDCO — Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF)
Roughly $300K–$400K per award
Maryland stem-cell product grant for companies
The MSCRF Commercialization Award funds Maryland for-profit companies — startups and established companies — developing new human stem cell-based products. Administered by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission as an independent program within TEDCO, it is a non-dilutive grant intended to advance regenerative-medicine and cell-therapy products toward market. The company is the direct recipient. The award is one of seven MSCRF programs (Launch, Discovery, Validation, Commercialization, Clinical, Post-doctoral Fellowships, and Manufacturing Assistance), of which Commercialization, Launch, and Manufacturing Assistance are company-facing. MSCRF runs regular FY funding cycles; the 2026 summer cycle deadline is June 23, 2026.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $200,000 – $500,000
- Realistic amount
- Per-award amounts have run roughly $270,000–$400,000 based on disclosed cycle totals divided…
- Deadline
- FY funding cycles. The 2026 summer cycle submission deadline is June 23, 2026, 5:00 p.m. EST. Applications are accepted for Launch, Validation, Clinical, Commercialization, and Manufacturing Assistance in that cycle.
- Status
- active
- States
- Maryland
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- Maryland-based for-profit company (start-up or established)
- Developing a new human stem cell-based product
- Work performed in Maryland
- Credible commercialization path for the stem cell-based product
- Compliance with MSCRF/Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission RFA terms
Hard requirements
- Must be an incorporated business
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Development of human stem cell-based products
- Preclinical/translational and process development toward commercialization
- Personnel working on the funded project in Maryland
- Project-specific materials and supplies
Ineligible expenses
- Work performed outside Maryland
- Costs unrelated to the funded stem cell product
- Activities outside the approved RFA scope
How to apply
-
1
Confirm Commercialization-track eligibility
Verify your company is Maryland-based, for-profit, and developing a human stem cell-based product. Review the active Commercialization RFA on mscrf.org for the current cycle's terms and amount.
~6 hrs
-
2
Prepare the application
Prepare the technical/commercialization plan, budget, team, and required RFA documents per the Commission's guidelines.
~30 hrs
-
3
Submit by the cycle deadline
Submit via the MSCRF online portal by the cycle deadline (e.g., June 23, 2026 for the summer cycle), 5:00 p.m. EST.
~4 hrs
-
4
Commission review and award
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission reviews applications and announces awards; awardees execute grant agreements with TEDCO/MSCRF.
~6 hrs
MSCRF is one of the few non-dilutive grant pools specifically for stem cell / regenerative-medicine companies — and Maryland is small enough that the Commission knows the ecosystem, so a Maryland operating footprint and a clear product (not just science) is decisive. The Commercialization track is the company-facing one; Validation is restricted to academic faculty, so apply to the right track.
Deadline & timing
MSCRF opens regular cycles each fiscal year via TEDCO/MSCRF. The Commission announces awards and opens the next cycle on a recurring cadence; confirm the active RFA and deadline on mscrf.org.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.