UMass Amherst Core Facilities is a collection of more than 30 cutting-edge equipment facilities available to researchers from government, academia and industry on a fee-for-service basis all while retaining their intellectual property (IP). The Core Facilities enable users the resources to enhance their R&D capabilities, address basic and translational questions, deliver technologies and product candidates more rapidly, receive advanced training, and become more competitive in obtaining state, federal, foundation, and private funding.
These facilities, managed by the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), advance the University’s objectives of becoming a destination and partner of choice as well as the institute’s goals of supporting high-quality research and advancing translational programs towards novel drug targets, drug delivery technologies, personalized healthcare devices, nutraceuticals, and other technologies that enhance human health and well-being.
Capabilities include metal 3D printing, roll-to-roll fabrication, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, analytical ultra centrifugation, x-ray diffractometry, super resolution microscopy, whole-room calorimetry, infrared motion analysis, sleep and behavioral observation labs, a 3 Tesla human MRI/S, and more.
Benefits of Working with UMass Amherst Core Facilities include:
- Over 30 Core Facilities with resources for
Precision manufacturing
Characterization
Human health monitoring
Cellular and molecular analysis
- Competitive rates
- Managed by full-time experienced professionals
- Streamlined contracts
- IP free zone
- Rentable research laboratory space in the Collaboratories
MA State Voucher Program:
Massachusetts companies working with the UMass Amherst Core Facilities may be eligible for the Massachusetts State Voucher Program. Eligible companies may apply for both the State Voucher Program and MeHI’s Sandbox Grant Program. The State Voucher Program offers up to 75% subsidy to use UMass Amherst Core Facilities. With these state incentives, companies headquartered in MA and having less than 50 FTEs can develop prototypes and test new devices at reduced rates. Similarly, established companies, especially manufacturers, can create prototypes to bid on contracts without having to initially make large investments, all while retaining their IP.
Eligibility:
- Start-ups and companies with 10 or fewer employees receive a 75% subsidy.
- Start-ups and companies with 11-50 employees receive a 50% subsidy.
- Maximum of 75K subsidy per start-up/company.
The voucher application process requires minimal paperwork, is reviewed rapidly and can be accessed at www.umass.edu/ials/voucher-program.
The overall Core Facility infrastructure was made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center.