New MLSC initiative delivers funding opportunities to strengthen scientific innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and health equity across the Commonwealth
WALTHAM, MA — The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) today announced the 2035 Fund, a bold and future-focused initiative supporting the implementation of the Mass Leads Act. As the first of four individual funds under the MLSC’s Life Sciences 3.0 strategy, the 2035 Fund will strengthen every layer of the life sciences ecosystem and includes programs that support startups, research labs, industry leaders, and the next generation of life sciences talent. By expanding access to incubator space, critical research infrastructure, and funding for scientific projects, the Fund removes barriers to innovation and levels the playing field for emerging and under-resourced sectors.
“Massachusetts is home to the most dynamic life sciences ecosystem in the world, and the 2035 Fund will help ensure we remain the global leader for decades to come,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By investing in cutting-edge research, supporting our startups, and tackling critical gaps in women’s health and other underfunded areas, we’re not only fueling discovery but also creating opportunities for every community across the state to benefit from this growth.”
“The 2035 Fund is about driving inclusive growth across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “From strengthening research infrastructure to expanding opportunities in emerging fields, this initiative will support our innovators, entrepreneurs, and educators, while ensuring that patients and families everywhere feel the impact of the breakthroughs made here in Massachusetts.”
“The 2035 Fund represents the next chapter in Massachusetts’ global leadership in the life sciences,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who chairs the MLSC Board. “By investing in research infrastructure, startup growth, and emerging fields like women’s health and antimicrobial resistance, we are not only securing our competitive edge but also ensuring that innovation translates into better health outcomes for people everywhere. This is about building a more inclusive, resilient ecosystem that keeps Massachusetts at the forefront of discovery for the next decade and beyond.”
“We are proud to launch the 2035 Fund to strengthen Massachusetts’ position as the global leader in the life sciences,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “This initiative ensures that our investments translate into meaningful advancements for patients, researchers, and the next generation of life science innovators.”
The MLSC is offering a wide variety of programs under the 2035 Fund that are open to organizations across Massachusetts with a strong vision for driving innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth in life sciences.
2035 Fund Programs
All programs under the 2035 Fund have an application deadline of November 21, 2025, unless stated otherwise below. Programs currently open for applications under the 2035 Fund can be accessed here.
Accelerating Research through Collaboration (ARC) Awards
The MLSC launched the Accelerating Research through Collaboration (ARC) Awards to accelerate the research of pressing life science questions through collaboration and to attract and train scientists in the Commonwealth. These public-private partnerships are collaborations between nonprofit applicants and at least one for-profit Massachusetts life science company.
The three tracks of the ARC Awards consist of Bits to Bytes, Novel Therapeutics Delivery, and Women’s Health Collaboration.
Research Infrastructure and Research Equipment
The Research Infrastructure and Research Equipment programs provide grants for capital equipment that support the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts by enabling life sciences research and development in the Commonwealth. The Research Infrastructure grant provides support for capital projects ranging from $1.5-$5 million to establish critical research resources such as core facility development at nonprofit organizations, while the Research Equipment grant supports research equipment purchases up to $500,000 per award.
Biobank
The Biobank program will establish disease-specific, accessible biobanks sourced from diverse patient populations across Massachusetts. By tackling patient sample and data access challenges, this initiative empowers startups, mid-sized companies, pharmaceutical firms, and translational researchers to drive patient-centric innovation ensuring improved health outcomes for all. The disease areas of focus for the first round of the program are Alzheimer’s disease and colorectal cancer.
The MLSC is seeking intent to accept applications from patient-facing organizations in the Commonwealth for this program by October 3, 2025.
Frontiers Fund
The Frontiers Fund supports early-stage, high-risk translational research in areas that have historically lacked investment proportional to disease-burden but offer extraordinary promise for patients. Through a phased investment model, the MLSC aims to de-risk innovation and catalyze long-term impact in areas with high unmet need and social burden. The focus areas for this round are antimicrobial resistance, microbiome science and therapies, orphan diseases, mental health and neuropsychiatric disorders, non-opioid pain therapies, health equity-driven solutions, and medical devices.
Women’s Health Initiative
The MLSC’s Women’s Health Initiative is a bold funding program designed to close critical gaps in scientific understanding and clinical care for the most pressing and under-researched conditions that affect women solely, disproportionately, or differently. Through a rotating focus on specific disease areas, the initiative ensures that a broad spectrum of women’s health topics are addressed over time. For the current cycle, the spotlight is on Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Perimenopause/Menopause.
Through a collaborative, four-pillar approach centered around AI & Data Science, Disease Biology, R&D, and Clinical Adoption, we’re breaking down silos and building a coordinated network of investigators to drive translational impact.
BioBoost
Through the BioBoost program, the MLSC will provide flexible capital funding to support investments such as facility buildouts, renovations, or helping with equipment needs, in a way that best meets current and future industry demands to support increased manufacturing activity and career development in Massachusetts.
Through the 2035 Fund and its programs, the MLSC is positioning Massachusetts to remain the #1 global leader in the life sciences, while creating a future that is more inclusive, innovative, and equitable for everyone.
Click here for the latest information on upcoming info sessions and other program updates.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC)
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research and development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical devices, diagnostics and digital health. Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed more than $1 billion in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives and workforce development programs. These investments have created thousands of jobs and propelled the development of new therapies, devices and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and beyond.
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