Research Infrastructure Eligibility Requirements and Evaluation

Program Design

The Research Infrastructure program supports capital investments in shared scientific infrastructure at Massachusetts nonprofit research institutions (Applicant). The program expands statewide access to advanced research technologies, addresses unmet infrastructure needs, and strengthens the Commonwealth’s life sciences ecosystem.

Projects funded through this program are expected to create broadly accessible research resources that serve investigators beyond the applicant institution. Competitive proposals demonstrate a clear need for the requested infrastructure, broad anticipated utilization, strong institutional commitment, and a sustainable plan for long-term operation.

Program highlights:

• Capital dollars are available to support equipment, construction/renovation, and other capital expenses at the not-for-profit Applicant. Awards range from $1.5 million to $5 million.
• Projects should be completed within 1-3 years post grant award.
• Funded equipment and resources must be made publicly available to researchers across Massachusetts, including academic institutions, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and life sciences companies.
• There is no limitation on the number of proposals that may be submitted by each non-profit institution (Applicant), but Principal Investigators (PIs) may only submit one application per program per cycle.

Program Eligibility

Applicants must be a Massachusetts legally organized “not-for-profit” entity such as an academic/research institution, hospital engaged in research, or other not-for-profit entity that would be eligible for capital funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Institutions that are exclusively healthcare providers and requests for equipment associated with standard healthcare delivery are not eligible for funding.

Eligible applications must meet the following requirements:

• The Applicant must be a Massachusetts nonprofit institution eligible to receive Commonwealth capital funding.
• Applicants must be requesting funding for life sciences “infrastructure” defined as: “advanced and applied sciences that expand the understanding of human physiology and have the potential to lead to medical advances or therapeutic applications” according to the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), chapter 23I, section 2.
• Applicants must demonstrate how the requested infrastructure or equipment will benefit the broad life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts. 
• Applicants must demonstrate anticipated use of the resource by other external academic and industry scientists.
• Equipment and other funded resources must be publicly accessible through an established access model, which may include fee-for-service arrangements.
• Proposals should address an unmet research infrastructure need within the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem.
• Priority will be given to projects with strong institutional financial and in-kind contributions, demonstrating institutional commitment.
• Applicants and their institutions must be in compliance with all existing agreements with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, if applicable.

Application and Review Process

Applications must be submitted online through the Submittable platform. The MLSC will conduct an initial screening for application completeness and program fit, then will submit applications to a panel of external experts for review. Applicants may receive invitations to present their proposals to address questions or provide clarification. The MLSC will provide final recommendations to its Board of Directors for approval.

The MLSC is particularly interested in projects that:

• Fall under one of the 3 topic areas:
  • Shared Core Facility Resource
  • Incubator/Accelerator
  • Clinical Trial Resource
• Address a demonstrated need in the Massachusetts life science ecosystem
• Demonstrate broad scientific impact and statewide benefit
• Serve a diverse community of academic and industry users
• Show strong anticipated utilization of the requested infrastructure
• Include meaningful institutional financial or in-kind support
• Demonstrate operational readiness and experienced management.
• Present a realistic and sustainable plan for long-term operation after MLSC funding concludes
• Strengthen Massachusetts’ research, innovation, and economic development ecosystem

The following are requirements for the Research Infrastructure application: 

• A 2-page Biosketch 
• A completed budget containing only allowable costs (see Funding section below) including vendor quotes from equipment over $100,000 
• Letters of use that must include strong language that the writers would utilize the resource if it existed, and an example of a project that the writers would use the proposed resource for. General letters of enthusiasm do not qualify.
  • For Equipment in Core Facilities, letters from:
    • 5 Academic sources external to your institution 
    • 3 Academic sources internal to your institution
    • 5 Industry sources 
  • For Incubators, letters from:
    • 5 early-stage companies
  • For Clinical Trial Site applicants, letters from:
    • 3 internal anticipated trials (if sited at an institution participating in clinical research)
    • 3-5 external (early-stage through large pharma/biotech/medical device) companies
• Letters of Commitment from each funding source (one letter from each source listed in Academic or Industry contributions). These letters must contain the dollar amounts listed in the breakdown of contributions. 
• Authorized signature (digital signature or scanned written signature) 

Funding

Funding is provided exclusively for capital expenses necessary to establish or expand shared research infrastructure. It is provided to awardees on a reimbursement basis according to an approved budget.

• Allowable costs for capital expenses include (with no minimum dollar amount): equipment, equipment service contracts when purchased at the time of the equipment, hardware and software, and construction costs related to the proposed equipment/infrastructure. All capital expenses must be made publicly available.
• This award is NOT able to fund: direct labor, overhead/indirect costs, renting space for data storage, monthly cloud storage fees, publication fees, other monthly subscription fees, software development, legal expenses, travel, paying off debt, paying board members, paying for operating costs such as rent and utilities and activities funded by other funding sources.
• The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of the proposals.
• The Center reserves the right to adjust the requested amount of funding for each proposal.

Resources

Post-award Deliverables, Confidentiality, and General Conditions

Sample Applications:

• Shared Core Facility Resource
• Incubator/Accelerator
• Clinical Trial Resource

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Please contact ResearchInfrastructure@masslifesciences.com for questions regarding Research Infrastructure applications.