CIRM Training Program

Postdoctoral Training

Program Duration

CIRM Postdoctoral fellows receive an initial 12-months of support. Renewal for an additional 12-months of support (2 year program length) is on a non-competitive basis and determined by program compliance, participation, and research progress.

Third Year Optional Competitive Renewal

CIRM Postdoctoral Fellows can receive a total of three (3) years of funding, however the third year is on a competitive basis. CIRM Fellows who are in their second year of training can submit an application for consideration for a third year of funding following the standard Application Deadline for that Program Year (i.e August 31st). Research proposals can remain the same as in the original application while application materials should speak as to how a third year of training would provide additional tangible benefit, career development, and otherwise aid in moving to the next career stage.

Resources Provided

CIRM postdoctoral fellows receive the following financial support. Please note that all resources detailed are for the 2025 Program Year:

1. Stipend towards salary and benefits totaling ~$69,600*
2. Supplemental $5,000 stipend towards health insurance*
3. Annual stipend of $12,000 towards laboratory supplies and scientific conference travel
   
   *Please refer to the CIRM Postdoctoral support calculator to determine required PI-funded supplemental payroll.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Postdocs currently working on research related to CIRM’s mission of accelerating treatments to patients with unmet medical needs; as well as those considering a career in research, particularly stem cell research and related areas are highly encouraged to apply.
2. Postdocs currently participating in a training program (i.e. IRACDA) are discouraged fro applying due to conflicts with resources provided.
3. US and International postdocs are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

1. Applications are reviewed on an annual basis following the close of the application deadline.
2. Application materials are provided to an independent, External Selection Committee (ESC) who score each application on the basis of research; mentoring; outreach; and letters of recommendation.
3. Scored applications are provided to the IBSC by the ESC with the IBSC communicating application outcomes directly to applicants and their prospective mentors.

Program Requirements

1. Formal Biannual Mentor/Trainee Meeting and IDP Review
   1. Trainees meet with their mentor every 6 months to formally review their progress.
   2. Trainees work with their mentor to co-develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) detailing career goals and their associated planned activities to reach stated goals.
2. Annual Evaluation Survey and Research Progress Report
   1. Trainees complete an annual survey providing feedback on their training program, self-evaluation, and mentor-evaluation.
   2. Trainees complete an annual form detailing the progress made on their research over the past 12 months.
3. Coursework
   1. Postdoctoral trainees will audit two (2) of the following courses:
      1. Stem Cell Biology (BME 278)
      2. Stem Cell Epi/Genomics (BME 273)
      3. Stem Cell Ethics (BME 247)
   2. Petitions to waive or substitute one of these courses for a previously completed course or a course better tailored to their IDP should be filed by the trainee within 6 months of beginning their program.
4. Stem Cell Club
   1. Trainees attend Stem Cell Club on a monthly basis for presentations given by internal and external speakers.
   2. Trainees present their research at least once during their training program.
5. Research Review Day
   1. Trainees and mentors attend an annual Research Review Day (typically in November) where trainees present their research in short presentation format; participate in career development seminars; and review/discuss program components.
6. Patient Engagement and Advocacy Activities
   1. Trainees participate in one patient engagement or patient advocacy activity annually to facilitate better understanding of the needs of patients and the high-level impact of their research.
   2. Trainees can propose a novel activity that is relevant to their field of study.
7. Scientific Community Outreach Activities
   1. Trainees participate in one community outreach activity annually to facilitate improved scientific communication skills.
   2. Trainees can propose a novel activity that is relevant to their field of study.
8. Mentor Training
   1. All trainee mentors are required to take at least one mentorship training course annually.

External Funding

1. Trainees are highly encouraged to apply for additional external funding throughout the course of their CIRM training program.
2. In support of this objective, trainees may attend a Grant Writing workshop (see below).

Non-Required Career Development Opportunities

The IBSC organizes and participates in additional workshops, courses, and activities to provide specialized training that can be considered for inclusion in and IDP:

1. Responsible Conduct of Research workshop (RCR)
2. Rigor and Reproducibility workshop (R&R)
3. CITL Equity Minded Mentoring workshop
4. CITL Pedagogy workshop
5. DEI workshops
6. Grant Writing workshop (BIOL 230)
7. Leadership/management workshops
8. Internship/shadowing with UCSC Industry Alliances & Technology Commercialization (IATC) Office
9. Summer Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA)

Program Internships and Shadowing

Trainees are provided opportunity to intern or shadow with a biotech, pharmaceutical, or other for-profit entity as part of their training. Trainees are encouraged to suggest novel internships/shadowing relevant to their IDP and career goals. The following companies have agreed to host CIRM trainees:

Predoctoral Training

Program Duration

CIRM Predoctoral fellows (Ph.D. students) receive an initial 12-months of support. Renewal for an additional 12-months of support (3 year program length) is determined on an annual, non-competitive basis and determined by program compliance, participation, and research progress.

Resources Provided

CIRM postdoctoral fellows receive the following financial support. Please note that all resources detailed are for the 2025 Program Year:

1. Stipend towards GSR-ship totaling ~$44,000
2. Annual stipend of $9,600 towards tuition and fees
3. Annual stipend of $6,000 towards laboratory supplies and scientific conference travel
   
   *Please refer to the CIRM Predoctoral support calculator to determine required PI-funded supplemental payroll.

Departmental TA Requirements

CIRM Predoctoral fellows (Ph.D. students) may be required as part of their department to serve as a TA. TA requirements are highly encouraged to be completed prior to, or after the CIRM Training Program. If a CIRM Predoctoral fellow is required to be a TA during their CIRM Training Program, financial support from the TA-ship will replace the CIRM stipend for those specific months with the CIRM stipend being issued again following completion of TA duties.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Ph.D. students who have committed to a research mentor and are currently working on research related to CIRM’s mission of accelerating treatments to patients with unmet medical needs; as well as those considering a career in research, particularly stem cell research and related areas are highly encouraged to apply.
2. US and International graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

1. Applications are reviewed on an annual basis following the close of the application deadline.
2. Application materials are provided to an independent, External Selection Committee (ESC) who score each application on the basis of research; mentoring; outreach; and letters of recommendation.
3. Scored applications are provided to the IBSC by the ESC with the IBSC communicating application outcomes directly to applicants and their prospective mentors.

Program Requirements

1. Formal Biannual Mentor/Trainee Meeting and IDP Review
   1. Trainees meet with their mentor every 6 months to formally review their progress.
   2. Trainees work with their mentor to co-develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) detailing career goals and their associated planned activities to reach stated goals.
2. Annual Evaluation Survey and Research Progress Report
   1. Trainees complete an annual survey providing feedback on their training program, self-evaluation, and mentor-evaluation.
   2. Trainees complete an annual form detailing the progress made on their research over the past 12 months.
3. Coursework
   1. Predoctoral trainees will enroll in and complete two (2) of the following courses:
      1. Stem Cell Biology (BME 278)
      2. Stem Cell Epi/Genomics (BME 273)
      3. Stem Cell Ethics (BME 247)
   2. Petitions to waive or substitute one of these courses for a previously completed course or a course better tailored to their IDP should be filed by the trainee within 6 months of beginning their program.
4. Stem Cell Club
   1. Trainees attend Stem Cell Club on a monthly basis for presentations given by internal and external speakers.
   2. Trainees present their research at least once during their training program.
5. Research Review Day
   1. Trainees and mentors attend an annual Research Review Day (typically in November) where trainees present their research in short presentation format; participate in career development seminars; and review/discuss program components.
6. Patient Engagement and Advocacy Activities
   1. Trainees participate in one patient engagement or patient advocacy activity annually to facilitate better understanding of the needs of patients and the high-level impact of their research.
   2. Trainees can propose a novel activity that is relevant to their field of study.
7. Scientific Community Outreach Activities
   1. Trainees participate in one community outreach activity annually to facilitate improved scientific communication skills.
   2. Trainees can propose a novel activity that is relevant to their field of study.
8. Mentor Training
   1. All trainee mentors are required to take at least one mentorship training course annually.

External Funding

1. Trainees are highly encouraged to apply for additional external funding throughout the course of their CIRM training program.
2. In support of this objective, trainees may attend a Grant Writing workshop (see below).

Non-Required Career Development Opportunities

The IBSC organizes and participates in additional workshops, courses, and activities to provide specialized training that can be considered for inclusion in and IDP:

1. CITL Equity Minded Mentoring workshop
2. CITL Pedagogy workshop
3. DEI workshops
4. Grant Writing workshop (BIOL 230)
5. Leadership/management workshops
6. Internship/shadowing with UCSC Industry Alliances & Technology Commercialization (IATC) Office
7. Summer Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA)

Program Internships and Shadowing

Trainees are provided opportunity to intern or shadow with a biotech, pharmaceutical, or other for-profit entity as part of their training. Trainees are encouraged to suggest novel internships/shadowing relevant to their IDP and career goals. The following companies have agreed to host CIRM trainees: