Injectable compositions and use of the injectable compositions in tissue engineering applications are described. The injectable compositions are hydrogel-based compositions that can be crosslinked in situ following placement. The injectable compositions include microcapsules having predetermined erosion profiles that are loaded with nanogels having predetermined sustained release profiles for signaling molecules conjugated to the nanogels. Following crosslinking, the compositions are designed to sequentially release signaling molecules over a predetermined period of time with various release profiles. The compositions can carry additional components to stimulate tissue generation such as stem cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components.