The application period will run from Aug. 25 – Oct. 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST, with an optional early deadline on Sept. 8 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The MLSC’s Business Builds: Life Sciences program, formally known as BioBoost, supports companies creating or expanding their presence, particularly in biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing in Massachusetts. This program aims to be a responsive and adaptive tool to fund capital investments, such as buildout, renovation, or equipment needs in a way that best meets current and future industry needs to support increased activity and career development in Massachusetts. Funding will be given to projects that can demonstrate a broader public benefit and contribute to the larger life sciences ecosystem, including workforce training space and programming, offering access or discounts to small local companies, or collaboration with nonprofit partners.
The MLSC anticipates awarding up to ten grants for direct manufacturing scale-up between $500,000 and $2,000,000 for work completed before June 30, 2027.
The Commonwealth’s goal is to ensure that businesses choose not only to locate in Massachusetts, but to grow, expand, and build their future here.
The Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) are coordinating the release of three capital grant programs: MLSC’s Business Builds: Life Sciences Capital Program, and Clean Energy Center’s Business Builds: Climatetech Capital Program and MOBD’s Business Builds Capital Grant Program (the last with a focus on key sectors of Defense, Robotics, Manufacturing, AI, Tech and Childcare).
By aligning incentive programs across Team Massachusetts, the Commonwealth is delivering a seamless, strategic investment process that supports companies in our key sectors, accelerates business expansion, and reinforces our commitment to helping businesses start, grow, and thrive here. This coordinated approach ensures that every investment advances the Commonwealth’s long-term economic priorities while strengthening Massachusetts’ position as the premier destination for innovation, talent, and industry leadership.
Strong applicants will be engaged in headcount and/or physical expansions that leverage private investments to create jobs and generate new economic activity across the Commonwealth.
Eligible applicants include:
Funds are disbursed on a cost reimbursement basis, generally within 30 days of receipt of valid documentation. Only approved expenses, based on a scope of work contained in a fully executed contract with MLSC, will be reimbursed. Applicant must accurately project spending of the grant. The funding must be spent within the projected fiscal year.
Reimbursable capital expenses:
Capital expenses that are NOT eligible for reimbursement:
Operating expenses that are NOT eligible for reimbursement:
Scoring Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
Priority Sector | Evaluates alignment with MLSC’s strategic industry sub-sectors, biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing (additional detail on manufacturing sub-sectors above). Higher scores are awarded to companies operating in sectors with significant economic growth potential and strategic importance to the Commonwealth. |
Expansion Location | Assesses the economic impact of the proposed location based on factors such as whether the project is located outside of Route 128, and whether it is situated within a Gateway City or rural community. Projects in areas targeted for economic development receive higher scores. |
Job Growth Potential | Measures the company’s projected employment impact, including anticipated job growth over five years and the quality of jobs created. Preference is given to projects estimating at least 50% employment growth and offering wages above the regional average individual income for comparable roles. |
Investment in Massachusetts | Evaluates the scale and significance of the company’s commitment to Massachusetts through capital investment, business expansion activities, and long-term presence. Considerations include investments exceeding $10 million; expansion of manufacturing, headquarters, R&D, or other functions; establishment of a new location; and introduction of a new business function to the state. |
Public Good | Assesses the broader benefits the project provides to Massachusetts beyond direct business outcomes. Factors include investments that support community development, workforce advancement, regional economic significance, infrastructure improvements, environmental benefits, or other public-facing impacts that contribute to the Commonwealth’s long-term prosperity. |
The scoring criteria informs both the award amount and the overall priority of an application. Awards may range from $500,000 to $2,000,000. Due to the competitive nature of the grant programs, applicants may request an amount of funding, but this process does not guarantee that as an award; the actual amount may be lower based on score, eligible costs, required match, project scope, and available program funds.
Following the application deadline, timely and complete applications will be reviewed for eligibility and evaluated using the common scoring calculator. A calculator score supports, but does not compel, an award recommendation. All applicants will be notified by email of the decision on their application.
Applicants that are approved for funding will receive a commitment letter outlining the grant amount and any conditions of the award. Grantees will need to verify the project’s readiness and address any related conditions at the time of award.
All awards are subject to availability of funds and are contingent upon approval by the MLSC Board of Directors based on feedback and scores and full execution of a contract between the Commonwealth and the Grantee. In addition, MLSC reserves the right to make no awards, to award less than the applicant requests, and/or to award less than the maximum amount of funds potentially available through this solicitation.
Applicants that are not selected to receive funding during the round will have the opportunity to request feedback on their application.
Please note: The MLSC reserves the right to consider the applicant’s past performance in operating grants administered by both the Center and/or the Commonwealth and factor this performance into funding decisions. All applicants will be notified of their award status by email. In addition to the scoring system outlined, the Center reserves the right to only consider submissions that, in our sole judgment, are complete and responsive to the solicitation’s requirements and include all required application components. Additionally, the Center reserves the right to consider other criteria in making awards.
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