Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announce $12.3 Million to Support Life Sciences Education and Workforce Development

Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announce $12.3 Million to Support Life Sciences Education and Workforce Development 

68 Awards Expand Access to Hands-on Life Sciences Learning Across Massachusetts 

WALTHAM – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced $12.3 million in funding through the MLSC’s Education and Workforce Development Grant Program.  

A total of 68 awards will support more than 400 public schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations across Massachusetts through four tracks: Elementary and Secondary Education, Out-of-School Time (OST), Post-secondary Education and Training, and “Gamechanger” matching grants. Together, these investments will expand access to hands-on life sciences education, OST learning opportunities, industry-aligned certificate and degree programs, and transformational workforce development initiatives that strengthen Massachusetts’ life sciences talent pipeline and prepare learners for careers in the life sciences. 

"Our life sciences industry is one of the biggest reasons Massachusetts continues to lead in innovation and economic opportunity," said Governor Maura Healey. "These investments will prepare more students for high-demand careers, strengthen our workforce and ensure companies can continue growing and creating jobs right here in Massachusetts." 

“Our administration is committed to ensuring that students of all ages have access to the education and training needed to thrive in the life sciences,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By supporting learning opportunities from kindergarten through post-secondary education, these investments will strengthen our workforce while expanding opportunity for communities in every corner of the state.” 

Since the inception of the Life Sciences Initiative, the MLSC has invested more than $240 million through various programs supporting education and workforce training that strengthens the state’s life sciences talent pipeline. These investments have supported more than 478 public schools, 30 nonprofit organizations, and 65 colleges and universities across all 14 Massachusetts counties and every Gateway City, expanding access to life sciences learning opportunities and training initiatives for residents in the state.  

“The life sciences are foundational to Massachusetts’ economy, and maintaining our leadership in this ecosystem depends on building a strong, skilled workforce,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Co-Chair of the MLSC Board of Directors. “These investments strengthen the connection between education and industry, ensuring residents across the Commonwealth have the opportunities and resources they need to pursue rewarding careers while helping Massachusetts life sciences companies meet the workforce demands required to drive the next generation of groundbreaking discoveries.” 

“Massachusetts maintains its leadership in the life sciences by investing early in the next generation of talent and ensuring that students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and industry-relevant curricula,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “These investments also ensure that low-income, underrepresented, and non-traditional learners from every region of Massachusetts, whether located in our Gateway Cities or rural communities, have the skills and opportunities needed to enter and grow within the life sciences workforce.” 

Elementary and Secondary Education Grants 

The MLSC awarded 23 grants totaling over $2.4 million through the Elementary and Secondary Education track to support more than 170 public schools across Massachusetts. The funding will provide hands-on/applied learning for students in grades 3-12 while supporting professional development for approximately 680 teachers. These grants enable the purchase of life sciences equipment, materials, supplies, and technology that strengthen classroom instruction, build technical skills, and increase student awareness of career opportunities in the life sciences. 

Out-of-School Time Grants 

Through the Out-of-School Time track, the MLSC is awarding nearly $600,000 to 21 nonprofit organizations that provide life sciences programming beyond the traditional school day. The funding will help K-12 students located in under-resourced communities build upon classroom learning through hands-on educational experiences, build technical and professional skills, engage with state-of-the-art life sciences tools and technologies, and explore career opportunities in the industry. 

Post-secondary Education and Training Grants 

The MLSC is awarding more than $7.3 million through the Post-secondary Education and Training track to 22 academic institutions and nonprofit organizations offering industry-aligned certificate and degree programs. Funding will support the purchase and installation of laboratory equipment, materials, supplies, technology, and facility improvements that strengthen workforce training programs and prepare students for high-demand careers in the life sciences. 

Gamechanger Grants 

Through the Gamechanger track, the MLSC is investing more than $1.9 million in two transformational workforce initiatives that will launch new programs or significantly expand existing ones. These large-scale investments support innovative education and training models that increase access and opportunity, particularly for low-income communities, while preparing students for careers in the life sciences.