Program Overview

The Open Capital Program is 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. Eligible applicants include academic organizations, research institutions, research hospitals, business incubators and other non-profit organizations. MLSC recognizes that investment in capital projects and infrastructure is required to create and sustain the attributes that make Massachusetts attractive to innovation clusters. This program is designed to help fund high potential economic development projects that promise to make a significant contribution to the state’s life sciences ecosystem.

Program to Date

To date, the MLSC has awarded or committed more than $480 million to support capital projects across the state.  This includes projects that were designated for funding in the Life Sciences Initiative, and projects funded through the MLSC’s Capital Programs.

Program Eligibility

Applicants must be a Massachusetts legally organized “not-for-profit” entity such as an academic/research institution, a hospital engaged in research, business incubator or accelerator, or other not-for-profit entity that would be eligible for capital funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Institutions that are exclusively health care providers and/or requests for the purchase of equipment associated with standard healthcare would not be eligible for capital funding.

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be requesting funding for life sciences “infrastructure” defined as: “advanced and applied sciences that expand the understanding of human physiology and have the potential to lead to medical advances or therapeutic applications” according to the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), chapter 23I, section 2.
• Each award is anticipated to provide $2 million (or less) in funds to the eligible applicant.  The MLSC may consider requests greater than $2 million in the event of a very compelling and highly competitive application.  The MLSC expects to invest up to $10M through this Open Competitive Capital Program.
• The MLSC envisions that recipients under the Program will receive a grant that leverages additional funds that have been identified and raised for the proposed project. Applicants that have succeeded in attracting significant additional funds will benefit during the review process.
• Applicants will have to demonstrate how the requested infrastructure will benefit the entire life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts.