The MLSC is running two programs designed to provide grants for capital projects that support the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts by enabling and supporting life sciences research and development in the Commonwealth.
The application period will run from Aug. 17 – Nov. 6, 2026 at 1 p.m. EST.
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s (MLSC) Research Infrastructure program invests in shared scientific infrastructure that expands access to advanced research technologies, accelerates discovery, and strengthens Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem.
Through capital investments in cutting-edge research equipment and other shared scientific resources, the program helps Massachusetts research institutions build the infrastructure needed to support innovative research, foster collaboration, and enable scientific advancements that drive economic development across the Commonwealth.
There are 3 topic areas that applicants may apply for:
Unlike traditional equipment grants that primarily benefit a single laboratory or department, the Research Infrastructure program supports resources that are broadly accessible to all researchers, including academic researchers, nonprofit research organizations, and life sciences companies. By investing in shared research equipment and resources, the MLSC strengthens Massachusetts’ research ecosystem, supports innovation across academia and industry, and enables discoveries that drive economic growth.
The program is designed to:
The Research Infrastructure program provides capital funding for:
Allowable capital expenses include:
Funding will prioritize projects that address an unmet research infrastructure need within the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem and demonstrate broad scientific impact.
Competitive proposals typically include:
Shared research infrastructure refers to scientific equipment and resources that are made available to internal and external investigators, institutions, and organizations without the resource retaining any intellectual property or requiring formal collaborations from users.
Funded resources are expected to be publicly available through an established access model, which may include fee-for-service arrangements, while providing meaningful access to both academic and industry users.
For applicants to the Clinical Trials track, the site must support trials by external organizations, in addition to any expected internal trials. The organization must define the resources committed to ensure that all required IRB and legal approvals can be obtained within a 3-6 month period.
Eligible applicants are Massachusetts nonprofit organizations that are eligible to receive capital funding from the Commonwealth, including:
Applicants should demonstrate how the requested infrastructure will benefit a broad community of researchers across Massachusetts.
For more information, view our full list of Eligibility Requirements
Awards range from $1.5 million to $5 million over a 1-3 year project period. All awards are provided on a reimbursement basis following execution of a grant agreement.
View our full list of Eligibility Requirements.
Yes. A core objective of the program is to expand access to advanced research infrastructure for both academic and industry researchers. Applicants should describe how external users, including life sciences companies, will access and benefit from the proposed infrastructure.
Please note that the submission system only allows one active application per grant program at a time for each user account. It is possible to have an active application across multiple programs, as well as submit applications for the same program sequentially.
Since its inception, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has invested more than $638 million in capital research infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth. These investments have expanded access to advanced scientific technologies, strengthened shared research facilities, supported collaborations between academia and industry, and helped maintain Massachusetts’ position as a global leader in life sciences research and innovation.
Learn more about the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Research Infrastructure awardees and visit our Research Equipment Database (R.E.D.) to see MLSC-funded equipment that is available for your research needs.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, e-mail: ResearchInfrastructure@masslifesciences.com.
