Effective October 1, 2026, CIRM has introduced a new Award Management Policy (AMP) that changes how its salary cap applies to new and existing awards. The information below provides an overview of the new policy and effective dates, salary cap treatment, impact on existing CIRM awards, and available CIRM resources.

CIRM Award Management Policy (AMP) 

Under the AMP, the annual base salary cap is $358,300 per year at 100% FTE. The AMP applies to awards contracted on or after October 1, 2026. Awards executed before October 1, 2026, will transition to the AMP on April 1, 2027, unless otherwise stated in the Notice of Award.

The CIRM salary cap is the maximum annual base salary that may be used to calculate salary charges to a CIRM award, based on the individual's level of effort on the project. CIRM will not provide additional funds to existing awards as a result of the salary cap increase. Any resulting increase in salary charges must be covered within the award's existing CIRM funding. Future proposals should be submitted using the increased cap for budgeting purposes.

Salary Cap Treatment

• Awards executed before October 1, 2026, under the existing Grants Administration Policies (GAPs): $357,000 annual base salary cap through March 31, 2027.
• Awards contracted on or after October 1, 2026, under the new AMP: $358,300 annual base salary cap.
• Beginning April 1, 2027: all CIRM awards become subject to the AMP, unless otherwise stated in the Notice of Award.

Impact on Existing CIRM Awards

Based on our review of current CIRM award data, no existing awards are currently subject to the new $358,300 salary cap. Therefore, no updates to existing awards are required at this time.

Existing CIRM awards should continue to use the $357,000 salary cap through March 31, 2027. The $358,300 cap should be used for applicable new awards under the AMP and for future proposal budgeting. The Health Sciences Compensation Plan (HSCP) Salary Calculation Worksheet is being updated to reflect the October 1, 2026, CIRM salary cap.

CIRM Resources

• CIRM salary cap history and managing your grant: CIRM For Researchers - Managing Your Grant
• CIRM Award Management Policy: View the CIRM Award Management Policy (AMP)