The International Stem Cell Foundation (ISCF) has developed from the International Stem Cell Forum, that was originally formed in 2002 by Professor George Radda of the UK Medical Research Council, to promote international collaboration in the development of stem cell-based therapies. The ‘Forum’ brought international funding agencies and charities together to provide support for scientific projects in stem cell research that could best be achieved on a truly international basis. It has a successful legacy of influential publications in the literature on both ethical and scientific aspects of pluripotent stem cell research. In recent years, it has been chaired by Professor Qi Zhou, Director for the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Zoology and in 2018, Professor Zhou revitalised, the ‘Forum’ as the International Stem Cell Foundation with an earmarked resource from key funders including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research and anonymous donations. The Foundation’s mandate is to promote the development of international scientific coordination on issues crucial to our understanding of pluripotent stem cells and their therapeutic applications. The key area of ISCF activity will continue to be providing multidisciplinary support for translational research on pluripotent stem cells. An early objective will also be the establishment of an International Stem Cell Bank hub and training centre which can support the accreditation of stem cell banks and their staff and qualification of pluripotent stem cells for clinical use.