The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
has developed the Education & Research Training (EDUC8) Awards funding
opportunity to equip students across California with the education, skills, and
hands-on experience required to thrive in regenerative medicine and related
careers. EDUC8 enhances and updates the Bridges and
COMPASS programs via a flexible umbrella grant mechanism, supporting
diverse paths tailored to distinct trainees.

Program Scope

Funded programs are expected to achieve the following
outcomes:

• Support coursework and training that builds understanding of
  stem cell biology, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine into degree
  curricula.
• 
  
  Provide paid, hands-on internship experiences with academic,
  industry, clinical, and research host sites.
• 
  
  Foster mentorship, patient engagement, and community
  outreach to broaden perspectives and career readiness.
• 
  
  Strengthen innovative recruitment and retention strategies
  to expand participation to a wide range of California communities and
  institutions.
• 
  
  Contribute to the CIRM network by tracking alumni outcomes
  and disseminating knowledge and resources beyond the home institution.

Program Paths

Applicants may structure an EDUC8 Award as one of three
paths, depending on their institution’s eligibility (see below):

• COMPASS Path
• 
  Target Trainees: Early undergraduates, exploring career possibilities
• 
  
  Focus: Foundational coursework + short (e.g. summer)
  internships
• 
  
  Bridges Path
• 
  Target Trainees: Later stage undergraduates, certificate, and/or master’s
  students with specific interest in regenerative medicine
• 
  
  Focus: Specialized coursework + extended internships
• 
  
  Dual Path
• 
  Target Trainees: Institutions with eligibility and capacity to support both
  paths
• 
  
  Focus: Individual + shared programming and resources

 Institution Eligibility

To be eligible for an EDUC8 Award, applicant institutions
must:

• Be California public or private non-profit colleges or
  universities with relevant STEM or regenerative medicine degree or certificate
  programs
• 
  
  Meet specific criteria based on the training path (COMPASS,
  Bridges, or Dual Path) as described in the Program Announcement
• 
  
  Submit no more than one EDUC8 application per funding cycle
• 
  
  Must include internship host sites that are located in
  California and provide meaningful research and mentoring opportunities.

Award Amounts

Maximum award amounts vary by path. Maximum award duration
is up to five (5) years:

COMPASS Path: Up to $3,237,000

Bridges Path: Up to $4,588,500

Dual Path: Up to $6,918,000