Advancing California's Future Through Medical Research
The Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics supports scientific progress, responsible innovation, and research that can translate discoveries into better outcomes for patients. California's Proposition 38 and Senate Bill 895 represent two distinct initiatives in the state's evolving research landscape.
Why California's Research Agenda Matters
Medical research is a long-term investment in human health, scientific discovery, and the capacity to develop new diagnostics and therapies. Progress depends on sustained funding, strong research institutions, scientific collaboration, rigorous review, and pathways that move promising discoveries toward clinical care.
SBMT works at the intersection of brain mapping, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, imaging, nanotechnology, therapeutics, and medical innovation. These fields increasingly depend on collaboration across disciplines and research institutions.
Proposition 38 and SB 895 address different aspects of California's research environment. Understanding their individual purposes, funding structures, timelines, and accountability provisions is essential to an informed discussion about the future of science.
Figures and dates reflect the cited official materials available as of October 2026. Bond proposals should not be confused with funds already awarded to researchers.
Proposition 38: Immunology Medical Research & Cures
Proposition 38 is a proposed $8.4 billion state general-obligation bond initiative focused on immunology and immunotherapy research. The measure is scheduled for California's November 3, 2026 general election.
To finance medical research through a combination of support for a qualifying research institute and competitive grants to eligible public or nonprofit universities and research institutions, with the aim of advancing immunology, immunotherapy, and potential treatments for serious diseases.
Accelerating Scientific Discovery
Proposition 38 focuses on immunology and immunotherapy, including research relevant to diseases that affect millions of patients.
- Cancer research and immunotherapy.
- Heart disease research.
- Alzheimer's disease research.
- Collaboration among scientists, physicians, universities, and nonprofit research institutions.
Accountability and Patient Affordability
The initiative includes provisions intended to support transparency, research oversight, and patient access.
- Independent financial audits and public reporting.
- Limits on state administrative expenses.
- Requirements addressing conflicts of interest.
- A provision requiring qualifying treatments developed through funded research to be offered to California patients at a 20% discount below the national average price.
The provisions summarized above are based on the official voter information materials. Eligibility, implementation, and the precise application of the measure's requirements are governed by the initiative's legal text.
Connecting Neuroscience, Therapeutics and Public Policy
SBMT's documented involvement with Proposition 38 includes its listing as a supporting organization in the initiative's published coalition.
SBMT Listed Among Proposition 38 Supporters
The official YES on Prop 38 coalition page lists the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, alongside the World Brain Mapping Foundation and organizations representing patients, researchers, healthcare professionals, and disease advocacy communities.
This listing establishes SBMT's documented coalition involvement. It does not, by itself, establish that SBMT authored the measure, administers its funding, or has a designated role in awarding research grants.
Translational Neuroscience
SBMT's mission centers on advancing brain mapping, engineering, imaging, nanotechnology, medical devices, and therapeutics. Sustained research investment can strengthen the wider scientific ecosystem in which neurological and other medical discoveries develop.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Modern biomedical innovation often requires collaboration across laboratories, universities, clinicians, engineers, technology developers, and patient advocacy organizations. Research funding can help support this ecosystem when resources are allocated through rigorous scientific review.
Research policy should be evaluated on scientific merit, transparent governance, measurable patient benefit, responsible stewardship of public funds, and the ability to translate discoveries into safe and effective treatments.
SB 895: Investing in California's Next Generation of Innovation
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 895, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, on September 30, 2026. The legislation places a separate $7.5 billion science and health research bond before California voters in March 2028.
SB 895 is not Proposition 38, and its proposed $7.5 billion bond is not the same funding measure as Proposition 38's proposed $8.4 billion bond. The SB 895 bond requires a future voter decision in March 2028.
A Broader Science and Health Agenda
The legislation proposes a statewide framework to support scientific research and development through grants, loans, and contracts.
- Biomedical science and medical research.
- Public health and disease prevention.
- Behavioral health research.
- Climate science, wildfire prevention, agriculture, water, and other research areas.
- Research-related infrastructure at public universities.
California Foundation for Science and Health Research
SB 895 establishes the California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support scientific research and development through grants, loans, and contracts.
The proposed bond would also support California's public university research infrastructure, including $1 billion for related infrastructure projects at the University of California and California State University systems.
Research proposals are expected to undergo scientific peer review based on merit and potential public benefit, as described in the Governor's announcement.
Proposition 38 and SB 895: Key Differences
The two initiatives address different research priorities, funding frameworks, and election timelines.
| Category | Proposition 38 | SB 895 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Proposed ballot measure for the November 3, 2026 general election. | Signed into law on September 30, 2026; bond proposal goes to voters in March 2028. |
| Proposed bond | $8.4 billion. | $7.5 billion. |
| Primary focus | Immunology and immunotherapy research, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. | Broader science and health research, including biomedical science, public health, behavioral health, and additional research fields. |
| Funding structure | Support for a qualifying research institute and research grants to eligible institutions. | California Foundation for Science and Health Research, with grants, loans, contracts, and research-related university infrastructure investments. |
| Patient affordability | Includes a 20% discount requirement for qualifying treatments developed through funded research. | Refer to the legislation and implementing provisions for the applicable program requirements. |
| Relationship to SBMT | SBMT is listed in the initiative's published supporting coalition. | Relevant to SBMT's broader research and innovation mission; no specific SBMT role in administering the measure is asserted here. |
This table is a high-level summary, not a substitute for the complete statutory text or official voter information. The two bond amounts are proposed authorizations, not current grants or guaranteed awards to individual institutions.
From Research Investment to Patient Impact
Funding alone does not guarantee a scientific breakthrough. Its value depends on the quality of research, accountability for public resources, collaboration, clinical validation, and successful translation into patient care.
1. Scientific Excellence
Support rigorous, peer-reviewed research with clear hypotheses, credible methodologies, and measurable scientific objectives.
2. Responsible Innovation
Encourage collaboration among researchers, clinicians, universities, nonprofit institutions, and responsible technology developers.
3. Patient-Centered Outcomes
Evaluate progress in terms of safety, clinical relevance, access to effective therapies, and meaningful health outcomes.
4. Transparency and Accountability
Maintain strong oversight, financial transparency, conflict-of-interest safeguards, and clear reporting on the use and outcomes of research funding.
Explore the Official Documents
Readers should consult primary sources for the complete initiative text, fiscal analysis, legislative details, and current election information.
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Proposition 38 — Official Title and Summary
California Secretary of State voter information -
Proposition 38 — Legislative Analyst's Analysis
California Legislative Analyst's Office -
YES on Prop 38 — Initiative and Coalition
Initiative website and published supporter list -
SB 895 — Governor's Bill-Signing Announcement
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom · September 30, 2026 -
About the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics
SBMT mission and organizational information
This page is intended to provide educational information about California research policy and SBMT's documented organizational involvement. Proposition 38 and SB 895 are separate measures. Information about proposed funding, implementation, eligibility, fiscal effects, and election dates should be verified against current official sources. Inclusion of a third-party link does not mean SBMT endorses every statement made by that source. No funding award, government partnership, or administrative role is implied by this page unless separately documented.