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Out-of-School Time Grants

Program Overview
Eligibility & Evaluation
Additional Grantee Responsibilities
Application
Resources
Impact on Ecosystem
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The application period for 2027 grants will run from Oct. 19 to Jan. 28, 2027 at 5 p.m. EST.

Overview

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) seeks to further the development and expansion of life sciences education and training for Massachusetts 6-12 students by investing in impactful out-of-school time (OST) programs. The MLSC anticipates awarding transformational grants that enable non-profit organizations to implement new or expanded programming offered beyond the traditional school day, predominately serving underrepresented and/or low-income youth.

Applicants can request grant funding of up to $30,000 for program design and implementation costs, including personnel, operations, stipends, equipment, materials, supplies, and/or technology. Applicants will be asked to provide a detailed program description, plans for career awareness/exploration activities, identification of industry/community partners (and at least one letter of support), anticipated outcomes and evaluation plan, team qualifications, an itemized budget, and sustainability plan.

Investments made through this program seek to:

  • Reinforce, complement, and supplement life sciences education currently offered by public schools.
  • Provide students with new technical and professional skills development relevant for careers in the life sciences.
  • Expose students to state-of-the-art life sciences equipment, tools, and technologies.
  • Catalyze and grow innovative programming serving under-resourced communities.

Investments made through this program seek to:

  • Reinforce, complement, and supplement life sciences education currently offered by public schools.
  • Provide students with new technical and professional skills development relevant for careers in the life sciences.
  • Expose students to state-of-the-art life sciences equipment, tools, and technologies.
  • Catalyze and grow innovative programming serving under-resourced communities.

Applicants can request grant funding of up to $30,000 for program design and implementation costs, including personnel, operations, stipends, equipment, materials, supplies, and/or technology. Applicants will be asked to provide a detailed program description, plans for career awareness/exploration activities, identification of industry/community partners (and at least one letter of support), anticipated outcomes and evaluation plan, team qualifications, an itemized budget, and sustainability plan.

Eligibility and Evaluation

Applicants must be a non-profit organization or public school/district (meeting same criteria as for Secondary Education Grants) delivering OST programming relevant to the life sciences. Funding must be requested for programs that:
  • Occur outside of the traditional school day (e.g. after-school, weekends, school vacation weeks, and summer).
  • Operate entirely within Massachusetts.
  • Serve Massachusetts 6-12 students/schools that meet any of the following descriptions:
    • Vocational technical high school as determined by Chapter 74 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.
    • Public school (including charter) located in one of the following “Gateway Cities” as determined by Sec. 3A of Ch. 23A of the General Laws of Massachusetts: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.
    • Public school (including charter) with a student population of at least 25% classified as “low income” by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
    • Tuition-free private school primarily serving low income/ underrepresented students.
    • Enrolled in the METCO Program, funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation, by permitting students residing in certain cities to attend public schools in other communities that have agreed to participate.
    • Homeschooled residents of a “Gateway City” (as defined above) or a city/town where the public school(s) has a student population of at least 25% classified as “low income” by DESE.
  • Prepare students with skills relevant for life sciences careers. The “life sciences” are defined in the MLSC’s enabling legislation as “advanced and applied sciences that expand the understanding of human physiology and have the potential to lead to medical advances or therapeutic applications.” Program activities/curricula and associated equipment, supplies, and technology should seek to enhance STEM skills relating to human biology/biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, robotics, and/or computer/data science that will prepare them for life sciences careers in sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical device/technology, medical diagnostics, bioinformatics, and digital health. Activities related to the following are NOT eligible for funding: Earth and Space Science, Clean Tech/Energy, Environmental Science, Gardening/Botany, Veterinary Assisting, and Allied Health careers such as nursing and medical assisting.Please read the full Solicitation (posted below) for more information about program eligibility and review criteria. The application for 2027 grants will be available starting Oct. 19, 2026. The deadline to apply is Jan. 28, 2027 at 5 p.m. EST.
  • Occur outside of the traditional school day (e.g. after-school, weekends, school vacation weeks, and summer).
  • Operate entirely within Massachusetts.
  • Serve Massachusetts K-12 students/schools that meet any of the following descriptions:
  • Vocational technical high school as determined by Chapter 74 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.
  • Public school (including charter) located in one of the following “Gateway Cities” as determined by Sec. 3A of Ch. 23A of the General Laws of Massachusetts: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.
  • Public school (including charter) with a student population of at least 25% classified as “low income” by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
  • Tuition-free private school primarily serving low income/ underrepresented students.
  • Enrolled in the METCO Program, funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation, by permitting students residing in certain cities to attend public schools in other communities that have agreed to participate.
  • Homeschooled residents of a “Gateway City” (as defined above) or a city/town where the public school(s) has a student population of at least 25% classified as “low income” by DESE.
  • Prepare students with skills relevant for life sciences careers. The “life sciences” are defined in the MLSC’s enabling legislation as “advanced and applied sciences that expand the understanding of human physiology and have the potential to lead to medical advances or therapeutic applications.” Program activities/curricula and associated equipment, supplies, and technology should seek to enhance STEM skills relating to human biology/biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, robotics, and/or computer/data science that will prepare them for life sciences careers in sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical device/technology, medical diagnostics, bioinformatics, and digital health. Activities related to the following are NOT eligible for funding: Earth and Space Science, Clean Tech/Energy, Environmental Science, Gardening/Botany, Veterinary Assisting, and Allied Health careers such as nursing and medical assisting.

Please read the full Solicitation (posted below) for more information about program eligibility and review criteria.

The application for 2027 grants will be available starting Oct. 19, 2026. The deadline to apply is Jan. 28, 2027 at 5 p.m. EST.

Additional Grantee Responsibilities

Annual Reports
Grant recipients are required to submit an annual report by August 30th of each year for two (2) consecutive years, beginning upon completion of project implementation. The reports are to be completed using an online form to be provided by the MLSC. Here is a sample of the Annual Report.

Student Surveys
Grant recipients must submit results from a pre- and post-survey to be completed by students using MLSC-funded equipment. Survey examples can be viewed here.

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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Upcoming Info Sessions

Impact on the Ecosystem

The MLSC has awarded over $2.2 million in funding to non-profit organizations offering hands-on OST STEM programming. Grants provided essential resources for organizations serving underrepresented youth, enabling them to launch new initiatives/programs, build capacity, and/or expand geographic reach.

$ 0 M+ awarded

to nonprofit organizations offering hands-on OST STEM programming.

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School

Grants provide opportunities for underrepresented youth through new programs and initiatives.

Disclaimer

A solicitation does not commit the Center to award any funds, pay any costs incurred in preparing an application, or procure our contract for services or supplies. The Center reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications received, negotiate with all qualified Applicants, cancel or modify the solicitation in part or in its entirety, or change the application guidelines, when it is in its best interests. An application does not constitute an award. Program solicitations are distributed electronically using the Center’s website. It is the responsibility of Applicants to check the Center’s website for any addenda or modifications to the program to which they intend to apply. The Center, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and its subdivisions accept no liability and will provide no accommodation to Applicants who submit an application based on an out-of-date solicitation. 

 

Note: If you receive an award from an MLSC program, the awardee name and amount of the award will be disclosed to the public. 

Connect with us to learn more

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

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