CMCR Grants Program - 2021 - Request for Applications
The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) seeks to fund primary and pilot cannabis-related studies that further enhance the understanding of the efficacy and adverse effects of cannabis and cannabinoids as pharmacological agents for the treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders, and their potential public health impacts. Primary project awards are up to $825,000 in total costs ($275,000 per year) for up to three years. Pilot awards are up to $300,000 for two years ($150,000 per year). Priority is given to proposals addressing issues identified under Funding Priorities.
Key Dates
| Letter of Intent Due | April 7, 2021 at 2:00pm PDT - CLOSED |
| Application Due | June 2, 2021 at 2:00pm PDT - CLOSED |
| Review | July - August 2021 |
| Earliest Start Date | October 1, 2021 |
Funding Priorities
Funding priorities include studies that 1) provide proof-of-principle findings that inform future, more comprehensive studies, 2) address scientific gaps identified by authoritative reviews (e.g., ‘The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids’, National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; 2017), or 3) represent promising new directions for research.
With regard to cannabis therapeutics there is no pre-determined list or priority ranking of disorders eligible for funding. Instead applicants are encouraged to consider the findings of ‘The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids’, National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; 2017, or other authoritative reviews as a starting point for areas of study.
Although the CMCR focus is on the potential of cannabis for therapeutics of medical and psychiatric disorders, applications may address adverse effects of cannabis (e.g., effects on cognition; mental health; driving and public safety; drug-drug intractions), and effects on certain populations (eg, elderly, women’s health). Applications addressing the role of cannabinoids in COVID will also be considered.
Applicants are encouraged to review CMCR’s portfolio of recently-funded grants. While the fact that certain areas are already being supported does not constitute an exclusion, CMCR is looking to studies that open new directions.
The CMCR will also consider basic science and animal studies with clear translational implications for human health and disease. Studies of assays/methods for detection of cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, related substances are likewise eligible.
Proof of principle clinical studies are encouraged, as are proposals that leverage other funding (e.g., from other grant sources, foundations, in-kind contributions of equipment or services, etc.). Applicants are encouraged to consider psychoactive cannabinoids (e.g., delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) as well as well as “minor” cannabinoids, and related compounds (e.g. terpenoids), and drugs directly affecting function and pathways of the endocannabinoid system as potential test agents.
Application Instructions
Applications will be submitted via proposalCENTRAL (https://proposalcentral.com/). Search “CMCR Grants Program” to locate the application. Please review the attached Request For Applications for instructions. Instructions and document templates can also be found on proposalCENTRAL.
See the PDF of 2021 Request For Applications for more details.
If you have questions or need assistance with your proposal, please contact