As Massachusetts STEM Week comes to a close, the MLSC is proud to celebrate institutions across Massachusetts that inspire and prepare the next generation of life sciences innovators. During STEM Week 2026, the MLSC had the opportunity to recognize two of our state’s outstanding colleges that recently opened state-of-the-art labs supported with MLSC capital grants.
At Westfield State University (WSU), the MLSC joined state legislators to celebrate the transformation of an outdated lab space into a modern bioinformatics lab, made possible through more than $450,000 in grant funding. Building on this investment, the MLSC recently awarded WSU an additional $110,000 to support CORE-Bio, a workforce development initiative that strengthens life sciences education and skills training. To date, the MLSC has awarded WSU more than $1.3 million in funding.
The MLSC team also gathered at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) alongside representatives from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and student demonstration in their new Operations and Controls Laboratory, outfitted with a $750,000 grant from the MLSC. We also celebrated a subsequent $500,000 grant which enabled the purchase of industry-standard equipment across various life sciences labs. To date, the MLSC has supported MMA with more than $1.25 million in capital investments that have helped modernize laboratory and training facilities, expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in the life sciences.
As we celebrate these successes, the MLSC is also looking ahead. The next round of the Education and Workforce Development Grant Program is now accepting applications, supporting life sciences education and workforce training across the Commonwealth. The program provides resources for eligible organizations, including colleges, public schools, and nonprofit training programs across Massachusetts, to purchase equipment, enhance learning environments, and expand access to life sciences education. Applications are open until Jan. 28, 2027 at 5 p.m. EST. Click here to learn more and apply today.
The MLSC remains committed to fostering a passion for STEM and empowering the next generation of innovators. While STEM Week may be coming to an end, our investments in education and workforce development continue year-round.
