In 2005, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) was formally established following the passage of Proposition 71 the prior year.

The statewide ballot measure, which provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions, was approved by California voters on November 2, 2004, and called for the establishment of a new state agency to make grants and provide loans for stem cell research, research facilities and other vital research opportunities.