Eligible applicants include:

• Life sciences businesses seeking to expand or improve their operations within the Commonwealth.   

• Life science companies of any size, based in Massachusetts or looking to expand to Massachusetts. MA-based companies are required to submit a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Secretary of Commonwealth and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Non–MA companies must establish a Massachusetts presence before using funds 

• The following sub-sectors will be prioritized in this process: Applicants that create or expand biomanufacturing or medtech advanced manufacturing operations within Massachusetts, with preference for companies with manufacturing projects advancing technology in biologics, women’s health, mRNA, microbiome, cell & gene therapy (CGT), central nervous system (CNS), personalized medicine, robotics, radiopharma, health equity 

• Requirement: 50/50 match (business must match grant funds dollar-for-dollar). Matches cannot be other state grants or in-kind contributions. 

• All eligible costs must be capital expenses, including the purchase, construction, or permanent installation of equipment or infrastructure, buildout, and fitout, or site preparation and infrastructure such as water, sewer, power, HVAC, or clean energy installations.  

• Operating expenses (“OpEx”), including salaries or wages of grantee staff, working capital, and non-capital administrative costs are not eligible for funding. 

• Once awarded, a Business Builds: Life Sciences grant may run until June 30, 2027, following the successful execution of a contract. Projects that are shovel-ready will be prioritized.  

• Applicants must commit to maintaining a location in Massachusetts for no less than 10 years (the depreciation term), whether at the location identified in the application or another site in MA as a continuation of the manufacturing project.
• Applicants with a project that have applied for and received the ClimateTech Tax Incentive for Capital or MOBD’s Business Builds will not be eligible. Separate projects will be considered if it has not been supported by the programs noted above.

Evaluation:

• The project is located in Massachusetts, consists of capital investments in a facility that enables the business to relocate from one location to another in Massachusetts, relocate from out of state to Massachusetts, expands an existing facility, or to establish a new facility, and the project appears to be economically feasible for the business in FY27 ending June 30, 2027 (the business has the funds to match the grant award dollar-for-dollar). 

• The project creates significant Public Benefit: All applicants must describe the public benefit of the project. These benefits should illustrate how this project and funding will support the broader economy or community of Massachusetts, beyond the benefits to the applicant. Examples of public benefits include:  
  • Job Opportunities for Local Communities 
  • Environmental/Climate Health and Wellbeing  
  • Economic Stability and Growth  
  • Better Public Infrastructure  
  • Competitive and Attractive Job Market  
  • Long-term Sustainability  
  • Stronger State Economy