The Center will manage these capital resources through a two-phased approach. In Phase I applicants will submit a short application and 2-page summary of the proposed project. Applicants selected for Phase II will be asked to submit a full proposal for evaluation. Phase I applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on April 29, 2011. Applicants must be not-for-profit or government entities. For-profit entities are not eligible for capital funding. Applications can be submitted, and more information about the program can be accessed, via the Center’s web site at www.masslifesciences.com.
“Funding for capital projects is a central part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s vision for life sciences expansion, with capital funds making up fully half of the resources of the Life Sciences Initiative,” said Greg Bialecki, Secretary of Housing & Economic Development and Co-Chairman of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors. “These projects create much-needed jobs in the building trades, and permanent jobs in the life sciences. This open call for proposals will allow us to identify projects across the state with the most potential for both job creation and scientific advancement.”
“The Center has thus far committed $131 million to six capital projects, which are expected to create more than 4,000 jobs in the building trades and more than 1,000 permanent jobs in the life sciences,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “Through all programs combined the Center’s investments have contributed to the creation of more than one million square feet of new life sciences research and manufacturing space. We look forward to receiving additional proposals through this open solicitation so that we can make further investments in job creation, and help more areas of the state develop the infrastructure they need to bring about growth in the life sciences.”
One past recipient of capital funding was the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) – an international center for life sciences research and education located in Woods Hole. The MBL received a $10 million grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center toward the $25 million renovation of its Loeb Laboratory.
“The Loeb renovation, which was completed in July 2010, enabled the MBL to build an ideal environment for scientific training and exploration that will drive discovery forward in Massachusetts and attract new scientific talent to the Commonwealth,” said MBL President and Director, Gary G. Borisy. “Funding from the Life Sciences Center not only provided us with critical resources, but also enabled us to leverage additional private funding needed to fully fund this important project.”
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tasked with implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a ten year, $1 billion initiative that was signed into law in June of 2008. The Center’s mission is to create jobs in the life sciences and support vital scientific research that will improve the human condition. This work includes making financial investments in public and private institutions that are advancing life sciences research, development and commercialization as well as building ties between sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com
