Equipment and Supplies Matching Grant Program
On September 24, 2010 the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, seeking to further the creation and development of life sciences training and education programs in Massachusetts, approved the launch of the Equipment and Supplies Matching Grant Program. Such grants would enable the purchase of equipment and supplies to train students in life sciences technology and research as well as re-train adults to enter the workforce in the life sciences. This program also addresses a funding gap in capital dollars for public and not-for-profit workforce training and educational institutions.
The Center received a total of 43 applications requesting funding for programs ranging from general STEM education to biotechnology to animal management and allied health. Applicants seeking funding of greater than $100,000 (but no more than $250,000) were required to secure matching funds, in cash or as a donation, for any amount over $100,000 from an industry partner. This requirement served to incentivize partnerships between academic institutions and life sciences companies, while still allowing those schools that could not yet secure a match an opportunity to receive funding. Fifteen expert reviewers representing academia, industry, and workforce development evaluated proposals and provided recommendations to the Center.
On February 23, 2011, the Center’s Board of Directors awarded 32 applicants funding totaling $3,466,158. Grant recipients included 18 vocational technical high schools awarded a total of $1,743,059, nine community colleges awarded a total of $1,144,782, and five workforce training programs awarded a total of $578,317. The program also leveraged $640,102 in cash and in-kind matching funds from eight sponsors including Dick Burnham Technical Sales, Massachusetts General Hospital, MassBIO, Merck, Microtest Laboratories, Nuclea Biotechnologies, Pall Corporation, and Vertex.
Banafsheh Salamat, head of the Science Department at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, after receiving a shipment of lab equipment and supplies from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Vertex matched with an in-kind contribution the Center’s Equipment and Supply Grant for LVTI. The Center awarded LVTI a grant of $202,434 in February 2011.
Click here to view the 2011 Grant Recipients >>
Click here to read the press release >>
Click here to read the solicitation >>
Click here to read the FAQs >>
Questions about this program can be sent to: equip@masslifesciences.com
NOTE: This program is not currently accepting applications. Please join our mailing list or check back for information on future soliciations.