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Business Builds: Life Sciences

Massachusetts is a global leader in life science research and development. The Commonwealth also has a strong growing manufacturing presence. Many of the world’s top biotech, pharma, and medtech companies have chosen to co-locate their R&D and manufacturing operations in Massachusetts to take advantage of the density of talent, collaborative spirit, and opportunities for consistent iteration between the lab and production teams. These close collaborative connections work even better on cutting-edge innovations when the manufacturing processes are nimble, creative, and responsive to the lightning speed of science.

Program Overview
Eligibility
Resources
Impact on Ecosystem
Contact

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.

Program Overview

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. 

Applications are due on Oct, 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., with an optional early deadline September 8 at 11:59 p.m. 

Upcoming Info Session

Aug 26
11:00 am
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Eligibility and Evaluation

Eligible applicants include:

  • Life sciences businesses seeking to expand or improve their operations within the Commonwealth.   
  • Life science companies of any size, based in Massachusetts or looking to expand to Massachusetts. MA-based companies are required to submit a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Secretary of Commonwealth and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Non–MA companies must establish a Massachusetts presence before using funds 
  • The following sub-sectors will be prioritized in this process: Applicants that create or expand biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing operations within Massachusetts, with preference for companies with manufacturing projects advancing technology in biologics, women’s health, mRNA, microbiome, cell & gene therapy (CGT), central nervous system (CNS), personalized medicine, robotics, radiopharma, health equity 
  • Requirement: 50/50 match (business must match grant funds dollar-for-dollar). Matches cannot be other state grants or in-kind contributions. 
  • All eligible costs must be capital expenses, including the purchase, construction, or permanent installation of equipment or infrastructure, buildout, and fitout, or site preparation and infrastructure such as water, sewer, power, HVAC, or clean energy installations.  
  • Operating expenses (“OpEx”), including salaries or wages of grantee staff, working capital, and non-capital administrative costs are not eligible for funding. 
  • Once awarded, a Business Builds: Life Sciences grant may run until June 30, 2027, following the successful execution of a contract. Projects that are shovel-ready will be prioritized.  
  • Applicants must commit to maintaining a location in Massachusetts for no less than 10 years (the depreciation term), whether at the location identified in the application or another site in MA as a continuation of the manufacturing project.
  • Applicants with a project that have applied for and received the ClimateTech Tax Incentive for Capital or MOBD’s Business Builds will not be eligible. Separate projects will be considered if it has not been supported by the programs noted above.

Evaluation:

  • The project is located in Massachusetts, consists of capital investments in a facility that enables the business to relocate from one location to another in Massachusetts, relocate from out of state to Massachusetts, expands an existing facility, or to establish a new facility, and the project appears to be economically feasible for the business in FY27 ending June 30, 2027 (the business has the funds to match the grant award dollar-for-dollar). 
  • The project creates significant Public Benefit: All applicants must describe the public benefit of the project. These benefits should illustrate how this project and funding will support the broader economy or community of Massachusetts, beyond the benefits to the applicant. Examples of public benefits include:  
    • Job Opportunities for Local Communities 
    • Environmental/Climate Health and Wellbeing  
    • Economic Stability and Growth  
    • Better Public Infrastructure  
    • Competitive and Attractive Job Market  
    • Long-term Sustainability  
    • Stronger State Economy
Are you eligible to apply? Learn more.

Eligibility and Evaluation

Company or non-profit applicants must use funds to create or expand biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing operations within Massachusetts, such as funding buildout, renovation, or equipment needs. Real estate developer applicants must use funds to conduct feasibility studies or otherwise assess specific site readiness for potential life science manufacturing purposes.

Applicants must be a:

  • Life sciences business seeking to expand or improve their operations within the Commonwealth
  • Life science companies of any size, based in Massachusetts or looking to expand to Massachusetts. MA-based companies are required to submit a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Secretary of Commonwealth and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Non–MA companies must establish a Massachusetts presence before using funds
  • The following sub-sectors will be prioritized in this process: Applicants that create or expand biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing operations within Massachusetts, with preference for companies with manufacturing projects advancing technology in biologics, women’s health, mRNA, microbiome, cell & gene therapy (CGT), central nervous system (CNS), personalized medicine, robotics, radiopharma, health equity
  • Requirement: 50/50 match (business must match grant funds dollar-for-dollar). Matches cannot be other state grants or in-kind contributions
  • All eligible costs must be capital expenses, including the purchase, construction, or permanent installation of equipment or infrastructure, buildout, and fitout, or site preparation and infrastructure such as water, sewer, power, HVAC, or clean energy installations
  • Operating expenses (“OpEx”), including salaries or wages of grantee staff, working capital, and non-capital administrative costs are not eligible for funding. Once awarded, a Business Builds: Life Sciences grant may run until June 30, 2027, following the successful execution of a contract. Projects that are shovel-ready will be prioritized.
  • Applicants must commit to maintaining a location in Massachusetts for no less than 10 years (the depreciation term), whether at the location identified in the application or another site in MA as a continuation of the manufacturing project.
  • Workforce Development Organizations
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  • Life sciences businesses seeking to expand or improve their operations within the Commonwealth.   
  • Life science companies of any size, based in Massachusetts or looking to expand to Massachusetts. MA-based companies are required to submit a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Secretary of Commonwealth and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Non–MA companies must establish a Massachusetts presence before using funds 
  • The following sub-sectors will be prioritized in this process: Applicants that create or expand biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing operations within Massachusetts, with preference for companies with manufacturing projects advancing technology in biologics, women’s health, mRNA, microbiome, cell & gene therapy (CGT), central nervous system (CNS), personalized medicine, robotics, radiopharma, health equity 
  • Requirement: 50/50 match (business must match grant funds dollar-for-dollar). Matches cannot be other state grants or in-kind contributions. 
  • All eligible costs must be capital expenses, including the purchase, construction, or permanent installation of equipment or infrastructure, buildout, and fitout, or site preparation and infrastructure such as water, sewer, power, HVAC, or clean energy installations.  
  • Operating expenses (“OpEx”), including salaries or wages of grantee staff, working capital, and non-capital administrative costs are not eligible for funding. 
  • Once awarded, a Business Builds: Life Sciences grant may run until June 30, 2027, following the successful execution of a contract. Projects that are shovel-ready will be prioritized.  
  • Applicants must commit to maintaining a location in Massachusetts for no less than 10 years (the depreciation term), whether at the location identified in the application or another site in MA as a continuation of the manufacturing project.

Evaluation:

  • The project is located in Massachusetts, consists of capital investments in a facility that enables the business to relocate from one location to another in Massachusetts, relocate from out of state to Massachusetts, expands an existing facility, or to establish a new facility, and the project appears to be economically feasible for the business in FY27 ending June 30, 2027 (the business has the funds to match the grant award dollar-for-dollar). 
  • The project creates significant Public Benefit: All applicants must describe the public benefit of the project. These benefits should illustrate how this project and funding will support the broader economy or community of Massachusetts, beyond the benefits to the applicant. Examples of public benefits include:  
    • Job Opportunities for Local Communities 
    • Environmental/Climate Health and Wellbeing  
    • Economic Stability and Growth  
    • Better Public Infrastructure  
    • Competitive and Attractive Job Market  
    • Long-term Sustainability  
    • Stronger State Economy
  •  

Program Resources

Application

Applicants are required to create an account prior to accessing the application. If you already have an account, please log in to begin the application.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What size company is BioBoost targeting?

BioBoost is open to life sciences companies of any size, based in Massachusetts or looking to expand to Massachusetts. BioBoost is also open to non-profit organizations, community colleges, universities, real estate developers, and municipalities.

Preference would be given for biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing operations that:

  • Included an on-site training space co-operated by a non-profit training provider
  • Partnered with a Massachusetts non-profit for research or equipment access
  • Offered support, access, or discounts to Massachusetts startups, students, or entrepreneurs
  • Partnered with a local school to support STEM education utilizing some part of the facility
      •  

Impact on the Ecosystem

The Business Builds: Life Sciences program, formally known as BioBoost, was created to support life science companies seeking to expand in Massachusetts, with a particular priority for companies that will manufacture their products in close proximity to their successful R&D operations, as well as to meet the needs of industry, and informed by recent shifts in the global economy and national focus. 

  • The number of biomanufacturing jobs in MA has grown 25% in the last five years. 
  • Today in Massachusetts, there are about 40,000 people employed in biomanufacturing or advanced medtech manufacturing. 
  • By the end of the decade, according to a BCG estimate, biomanufacturing will be used extensively in more than a third of traditional manufacturing industries, representing nearly $30 trillion in global value. 
  • Massachusetts has invested significantly in workforce development programs to support a diverse talent pipeline for skilled biomanufacturing and advanced manufacturing workers.

Connect with us to learn more

If you have any questions regarding the application process, e-mail: businessbuilds@masslifesciences.com.

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