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Capital Program: Equipment and Supplies for High Schools

The Equipment and Supplies for High Schools grant program enables the purchase of equipment and supplies to train students in life sciences technology and research as well as addresses a funding gap in capital dollars for public and not-for-profit workforce training and educational institutions.

Eligible high schools, as well as community-based organizations that serve such high schools, can apply for up to $250,000 in grant funding by completing an online application. Applicants seeking funding of greater than $100,000 (but no more than $250,000) are required to secure matching funds, in cash or as a donation, for any amount over $100,000 from an industry partner.

An eligible applicant must request funding to purchase equipment and/or supplies to support an education and training program that prepares participants for employment in the life sciences. The “life sciences” are defined in the Center’s enabling legislation as “advanced and applied sciences that expand the understanding of human physiology and have the potential to lead to medical advances or therapeutic applications.” Such equipment and/or supplies must be used to support science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics, etc.), technology (e.g. robotics, computer programming, etc.), engineering, and/or math education and training. Allied Health training will not qualify for funding.

The MLSC is particularly interested in supporting applicants that will further its goal of supporting a trained workforce suitable for lab technician work, biomanufacturing, and other segments of employment in the life sciences as well as the education of students wishing to pursue advanced degrees in STEM subjects.

Background

In 2011, the first round of the Equipment and Supplies Matching Grant Program, the Center’s Board of Directors awarded 32 applicants funding totaling $3,466,158. Grant recipients included 18 vocational technical high schools, nine community colleges, and five workforce training programs. For more information, view the full list of 2011 Grant Recipients and read the program Press Release.

Lynn Vocational

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.

In December 2012, the Center’s Board of Directors awarded 31 applicants funding totaling $3,228,203. Grant recipients included 29 vocational technical high schools and public high schools in "Gateway Cities", as well as two high school workforce training programs. Information on this most recent round is posted below.

"The opportunities provided to our students through this grant funding will have a significant impact on their education and will foster increased interest in the life sciences as career options. We are confident that vocational, technical, and agricultural education will become an even more effective pipeline for the future workforce in the life sciences."

 

– David J. Ferreira, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA)

Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and Lt. Governor Tim Murray observe a biology student checking results from an experiment at Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford, where the second round of equipment and supply matching grants from the MLSC was announced on Dec. 20, 2012.

2012 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be one of the following:

  • Massachusetts Vocational Technical High School as determined by the Chapter 74 of the General Laws of Massachusetts;

  • Comprehensive Public High School with approved voc/tech program;

  • Massachusetts Public High School located in a “Gateway City” as determined by Section 3A of Chapter 23A of the General Laws of Massachusetts (Click here to view a list of Gateway Cities); or

  • Community-based non-profit organizations serving the eligible high schools (as stated above).

Please note that community colleges and other academic/research institutions should refer to a separate solicitation (Capital Program) to apply for funding.

Information regarding the 2012 round of the program:

 

Program Contact: Ryan H. Mudawar at equip@masslifesciences.com