Brief Description:

The MLSC Capital Program provides grants for capital projects that support the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts by enabling and supporting life sciences workforce development and training, research and development, commercialization and/or manufacturing in the Commonwealth. Applicants are 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 such as life sciences. 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. Harvard is viewed as three separate institutions for this opportunity. HSPH is one, HMS another, and the schools on the Cambridge campus the third. Each is limited to submitting one phase 1 application for this opportunity.

Description:

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) has launched the fourth round of a solicitation for capital dollars to support life-sciences related capital projects. The MLSC will invest in high potential economic development projects that promise to make a significant contribution to the state's life sciences ecosystem. The MLSC has allocated up to $35 million in capital dollars for this solicitation.

The MLSC will manage the awarding of capital dollars through a two phased approach. Phase 1 entails the submission of an online application. Harvard University, as one institution, is allowed to submit one (1) Phase 1 application. The MLSC deadline for Phase 1 applications is 9/26/14 at 12:00 pm EST. Phase II applications will be issued by invitation only. For those invited to submit Phase II applications they will be notified by 10/17/14. Phase II applications are due 11/14/14 at 12:00 pm EST.

Project requests for funding from the MLSC must not exceed $5 million. Applicants are limited to $500,000 for equipment purchases, but may apply for up to $5 million for other capital expenditures.

Projects must be ready for funding beginning in FY16 (July 1, 2015) and completion of the project must not extend beyond FY18 (June 30, 2017). Applicants may request single or multi-year funding.

The MLSC envisions that recipients under the Program will receive a grant amount that leverages additional funds that have been identified and raised for the proposed project. The MLSC acknowledges that the sources and amounts of additional funding will vary depending on the Applicant, the proposed project, and the availability of such funding to the Applicant. These variables will be taken into consideration by the MLSC’s Board of Directors as it makes its funding decisions. For example, a research institution engaged in finding a cure for cancer may be able to attract a greater share of philanthropic dollars than a community college focused on workforce development. Applicants that have succeeded in attracting significant additional funds will benefit during the review process.

Application Information:

FAS Candidates: Please contact Susan Gomes, Director of Research Strategy and Development, by August 18th, 2014, Susan_Gomes@harvard.edu, 617-496-9448 if interested in applying for this opportunity.

As part of the internal competition to select one proposal from the Cambridge Campus at Harvard University to be submitted to Phase 1 of the 2014 MLSC Capital Program, interested applicants are asked to submit the following:

A one page Project Summary, 11pt font minimum that describes the project that your team is proposing, evidence for its potential success and why it merits funding from the MLSC.

A one page Project Impact, 11 pt font minimum that describes the impact you hope to accomplish within the first year of funding and within the first 5 years. Use whatever metrics are most appropriate (e.g., scientific/technical advance, workforce training, job creation, societal benefits etc.)

A current CV of the PI(s)

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible applicants for this opportunity include Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, Professors and those with other academic/research appointments at Harvard University.

Additional Information, Related Websites, and Proxy Instructions:

FAS Candidates: Please contact Susan Gomes, Director of Research Strategy and Development, by August 18th, 2014, Susan_Gomes@harvard.edu, 617-496-9448 if interested in applying for this opportunity.

Detailed information, including an example of a MLSC Phase 1 application are available at the following:
http://www.masslifesciences.com/programs/capital/

Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact Autumn Bennett at autumn_bennett@harvard.edu

Search Filters:

Institution

Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Position

Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Professor
Other Academic/Research Appointment

Type of Competition

Limited Submission

Discipline

Basic Science
Clinical Science
Life Science
Multidisciplinary
Translational Science

Type of Award

Equipment
Research