Thank you for your interest, but we are not opening a new Phase 1 round this year. Please check back at a later date for updates.
The Frontiers Program 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 Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) supports promising research projects as they advance toward translational milestones and broader partnership opportunities.
This program advances our commitment to health equity and scientific inclusivity by directing resources to research domains that have not received proportional investment but hold immense promise for patient and societal benefit.
The Frontiers Fund will offer phased awards that increase over time based on progress milestones:
Phase | Focus | Capital Funds | General Funds | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase I | Feasibility & early data | Up to $100,000 | Up to $100,000 | 1 Year |
Phase II | Translational validation | Up to $400,000 | Up to $200,000 | 2 Years |
Phase III | Partnership readiness | Up to $250,000 | Up to $100,000 | 1 Year |
The Frontiers Program will support translational research proposals in one or more of the following fields, that have not received proportional investment but hold immense promise for patient and societal benefit:
Please note that the submission system only allows one active application per grant program at a time for each Submittable user account. It is possible to have an active application across multiple programs, as well as submit applications for the same program sequentially.
The Frontiers Program is designed to unlock transformative potential across the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem by channeling resources into fields that have been stuck in the starting line due lack of value-based investment.
By supporting translational research in critical areas like mental health, antimicrobial resistance, and health equity, the program strengthens the pipeline of innovation, stimulates cross-sector collaboration, and ensures that the benefits of scientific progress reach broader and more diverse patient populations. This strategic investment not only bridges gaps in discovery but also reinforces Massachusetts’ leadership in inclusive, future-facing life sciences research.
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