with Incentives from the State of Massachusetts at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

UMass Amherst Core Facilities Voucher Program

A new state voucher program funded by the Massachusetts legislature gives small and medium-sized businesses (<50 FTEs) access to the University’s leading-edge research facilities at reduced rates. Over thirty core facilities, from 3D printing to x-ray scattering, are available for use with the voucher program.

• • Eligibility

    • Companies with 50 or less FTEs, headquartered in Massachusetts and registered to do businesses in Massachusetts with the Secretary
    • 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.

  • UMass Core Facilities benefits:

    • Highly competitive rates
    • Managed by full-time experienced professionals
    • Companies retain intellectual property (IP)
    • Tiered access to equipment and services
    • Streamlined contracts
    • State-of-art facilities and equipment

  • Application Process

    • To obtain a voucher applicants must develop a scope of work and quote with the Core Facility utilizing this form.
    • This completed form will be routed to the 5-campus review committee who will determine whether the request meets the programs goals.
    • If the voucher request is approved by the 5-campus review committee, a notification letter will be sent to the applicant identifying the total voucher amount, amount to be paid by customer, voucher start date, and voucher expiration date.
    • Vouchers will expire 90 days from date of award. Any funds not used will be returned to the general pool for reallocation.

  • FAQs

    Who is eligible?

    Companies with 50 or less FTEs, headquartered in Massachusetts and registered to do businesses in Massachusetts with the Secretary.
    What does it cost?

    There is no charge to apply.
    How long does it take to get started?

    You can start right away by filling out the application form. Timing for processing your request depends on the number of applicants in the queue and the availability of funding.
    How does it work?

    Eligible companies can apply for vouchers up to $75,000 per year for use of core facilities at the University of Massachusetts.
    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.
    When & how do I apply?

    If you have not engaged with any core facilities staff, please complete this request for information, and someone will be in touch soon. If you are engaged with any core facilities, please inform the staff you would like to apply for a voucher. Funds are available now!
    Application process

    • To obtain a voucher applicants must develop a scope of work and quote with the Core Facility utilizing this form
    • This completed form will be routed to the 5-campus review committee who will determine whether the request meets the programs goals
    • If the voucher request is approved by the 5-campus review committee, a notification letter will be sent to the applicant identifying the total voucher amount, amount to be paid by customer, Voucher start date, and voucher expiration date.
    • Vouchers will expire 90 days from date of award. Any funds not used will be returned to the general pool for reallocation
    How will I know my application has been approved?

    You will receive a letter of award if your application has been approved.
    How long is funding available?

    Funds are limited. If you are interested, act now. The program is administered on a first-come-first-serve basis.
    Questions?

    Contact:
    Andrew Vinard, Core Facilities Director
    UMassCores@umass.edu
    (413) 577-4582

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  • “Our partnership with UMass Amherst, facilitated through the Voucher program, has significantly helped us to understand our chemistries role in both the wastewater and potable water treatment industry. The research we have undertaken has allowed us to focus our resources into applications that will drive sales for our company and allow us to grow and provide green chemistries to these industries.”

    —BioSafe Systems of Hampden

  • “Our initial interest in IALS was for IP-neutral lab space so we could begin building out our tech & products and own the value that we were creating. It helped that it was on campus and easy for students to get to. Even if I wanted to move our lab to Boston, it is simply not justifiable to my stakeholders at this point.”

    —Griffin O'Driscoll, Organicin Scientific of Amherst

  • “For an early-stage company like IWS the voucher program has been instrumental in supporting the development of our innovations at the UMass Core Facilities. Working with Dave, Jeremy, Mike and their teams in ADDFab and CH2P combines talent and knowledge with great facilities to take on the challenges of developing new products and tools.”

    —Ted Finn, Innovative Wellness Systems of Dover

  • “Diemat is doing some fundamental research on the application of nano materials in the areas of semi-conductor and energy industry. We have benefited a lot from the cutting-edge instruments at UMass Amherst and Dr. Alex Ribbe’s extraordinary talent in polymer science and nano technologies, the support from the Voucher Program has dramatically accelerated Diemat’s footsteps of exploration in the new materials.”

    —Zhixiang Lu, Diemat, Inc. of Byfield

  • “Working with ADDFab allowed TinyPilot to grow, experiment, and adapt rapidly during the critical early years of our company. TinyPilot runs without investor funding, so ADDFab’s design and 3D printing services would be out of reach without the MA innovation voucher. We’re on track to generate over $1M of revenue in our third year of operation, but we wouldn’t have even passed the prototype phase without ADDFab and the MA innovation voucher.”

    —Michael Lynch TinyPilot of South Hadley