Funding Opportunities

Drexel's Medical Cannabis Research Center funds pilot research studies proposed by Drexel faculty in areas of research where the therapeutic use of medical cannabis has produced promising patient health outcomes, including:

• HIV
• Chronic pain
• Opioid dependence

Studies are funded in broader domains related to Drexel’s research expertise in the areas of clinical research, public health, and translational science.

The RFP window usually runs from January to March.

2025 Request for Proposals: Medical Cannabis Research Center Pilot Project Fund

The Drexel Medical Cannabis Research Center (MCRC), a collaboration between the Dornsife School of Public Health and the College of Medicine, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for pilot projects that to promote medical cannabis research at Drexel.

Funding for this opportunity is provided by Agronomed Biologics, a PA-based medical cannabis company, who has partnered with Drexel University under PA’s 2016 medical cannabis legislation and is supported by PA’s Department of Health. Agronomed and Drexel entered into an eight-year research partnership in late 2019/2020.

Objective

The MCRC RFP supports pilot projects with a focus on advancing medical cannabis science and knowledge regarding the potential medical benefits of cannabis as well as the societal and public health impacts of prohibition and legalization.

Award

The maximum budget that can be requested for award is $50,000. Efficiency and cost sharing in budget requests is encouraged so that more projects can be funded. It is anticipated that 3-5 awards will be made as part of this request for proposals. However, the total number to be awarded will depend on review results and budget requests.

Eligibility

Open to all Drexel University faculty members and postdoctoral fellows. Postdoctoral fellows must have a clearly identified faculty mentor on the project team. A support letter from the mentor must be included. Investigators may submit more than one application but are eligible to receive only one award as PI.

How to apply

The due date for the 2025 RFP has passed. Documentation can be found on the Drexel InfoReady Portal. The next funding cycle will open in January 2026 and close at the end of March 2026.

Pilot studies may be considered on a rolling basis. Please contact Jim Seaberg if you would like to apply for pilot funding on a rolling basis.

Questions about upcoming opportunities? Email cannabis@drexel.edu or Jim Seaberg.