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Ocean State Labs
Academic & Industry Partnership Program

Program Awards

Purpose 

  • The program is intended to reduce barriers for academic/industry programs by securing state of the art laboratory space for translational sciences, support capital raise, accelerate potential company growth, advance technology development, lay the foundation for future commercialization, and offer long-term economic impact here in Rhode Island. 

 

Award Structure 

  • Up to $250,000 total available for up to two (2) academic-industry partnerships.  

  • Awards are intended to support up to two (2) laboratory benches and one (1) hot desk per company for twelve months.  

  • Academic partners leading the industry engagement, may submit one application. Applicants not selected may reapply in future cycles. 

 

Criteria for the Academic Laboratory and Industry Partnership: ​

  • Be a Principal investigator should be from Rhode Island higher education academic institution  

  • Have an existing Sponsored Research Agreement demonstrating support from Industry Partner 

  • Be in alignment with the joint goals of the academic/industry partnership, including a focus on translational science 

  • Industry Partner Must: 

  • Be an established and incorporated Life Sciences company 

  • Have an existing partnership supporting academic research within a Rhode Island institute of higher education  

  • Provide a Letter of intent for the joint academic/industry partnership 

  • Demonstrate a funding commitment to support program budget 

 

In addition, the partnership must meet the following eligibility guidelines:  

  • Operate within the life sciences sector, including biotechnology, therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, biomanufacturing, genomics, cell and gene therapy, research tools, or other regulated human health technologies. 

  • Be a Rhode Island academic translational science program with an established industry partner and require wet laboratory space to support training, research, development, or commercialization activities. 

  • Demonstrate the operational, technical, and financial capacity to effectively utilize shared laboratory facilities and equipment. 

  • Conduct only BSL-1 or BSL-2 laboratory activities. 

  • Be willing to actively participate in and contribute to the Ocean State Labs innovation community. 

Eligible use of funds

Allowable Use of Funds 

  • Laboratory bench space at Ocean State Labs  

  • Funding stipend of up to $50,000 per student trainee from the academic laboratory to advance science and innovation. 

  • Up to 25% overhead allowance/indirect rate 

 

Non-Allowable Expenses 

  • Laboratory supplies or equipment  

  • Security deposits  

  • Decontamination fees  

  • Insurance costs  

  • Travel  

  • Debt payments  

  • Legal expenses  

Application Requirements

Application Components 

  • Academic Partner Bios 

  • Industry Partner Bios 

  • Translational Science Overview  

  • Sponsored Research Agreement 

  • Project Milestone Driven Budget and Scientific and Business Development Milestones 

  • Letter of Intent Jointly Signed by Both Academic and Industry Partners 

  • Residency Plan and Space Utilization  

  • Rhode Island Impact – Planned Evolution of Program 

  • Application Attestations and Certifications  

 

Required Materials 

  • Project Overview including Intended outcomes 

  • Resumes or biographies of key team members including both academic and industry partners 

  • Letters of Support from academic institution and sponsor company senior leadership/point of contact for sponsored research agreement.  

  • Signed Program Attestation Form  

 

Pre-Award Documentation 

Selected applicants will be required to provide: 

  • A Certificate of Insurance demonstrating commercial general liability coverage of at least $1 million, property insurance, and workers' compensation as required by applicable law.    

  • Any additional documentation reasonably requested by RILSH or Ocean State Labs. ​​

Evaluation & Selection

Applications will be evaluated based on: 

  • Scientific and Technical Merit  

  • Strength of Academic and Industry Team Members 

  • Commercial Potential  

  • Residency Readiness  

  • Rhode Island Impact  

  • Financial Readiness  

 

RILSH may engage external reviewers to support the evaluation process. Funding recommendations will be presented to the RILSH Board of Directors for final approval. RILSH reserves the right to request additional information or clarification from applicants at any stage of the review process. 

Program Benefits

Selected companies will receive:  

  • Funding support for up to two (2) laboratory benches and one (1) hot desk at Ocean State Labs for twelve months.  

  • Up to $50K funds for trainee stipend.  

  • Access to shared laboratory facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.  

  • Access to the Ocean State Labs innovation community, including networking, educational programming, and entrepreneurial services.

Awardee Responsibilities

Before Occupancy 

  • Execute an award agreement with RILSH.  

  • Execute a residency agreement with Ocean State Labs.  

  • Pay the required security deposit directly to Ocean State Labs.  

  • Provide a valid IRS Form W-9.  

  • A Certificate of Insurance demonstrating commercial general liability coverage of at least $1 million, property insurance, and workers' compensation as required by applicable law.   

 

During the Residency Term 

  • Occupy laboratory space within ninety (90) days of award notification.  

  • Ensure required Ocean State Labs Training and On-Boarding are completed within the first 30 days of occupancy. 

  • Commence scientific operations within thirty (30) days of occupancy.  

  • Maintain required insurance coverage throughout the residency term.  

  • Actively contribute to the Ocean State Labs innovation community.  

  • Submit partnership progress reports focused on milestones at six (6) and twelve (12) months.  

  • Demonstrate ongoing progress toward scientific, business development, and Rhode Island project milestones.  

  • Provide any additional documentation reasonably requested by RILSH or Ocean State Labs. 

Program Administration

RILSH will pay approved award funds directly to Ocean State Labs on behalf of the recipient company in accordance with the approved membership arrangement. 

 

RILSH and Ocean State Labs Powered by Portal Innovations reserve the right to suspend or terminate participation for failure to comply with program requirements, maintain required documentation or insurance coverage, submit required reports, engage in program activities, or demonstrate reasonable progress toward approved milestones. 

 

Materials that are more than fourteen (14) days overdue may be considered non-compliant and may result in corrective action or termination from the program

Applications Open July 20, 2026

Program Overview

To support the growth of Rhode Island’s early-stage life sciences sector, RILSH has partnered with Ocean State Labs, powered by Portal Innovations, to provide unique programs with access to laboratory space, equipment, and a collaborative innovation community. 

 

The Ocean State Labs “Academic/Industry Partnership Program” is designed to help promising academic translational life sciences programs establish their joint programs with a key industry partner and expand operations in Rhode Island by offsetting the cost of laboratory space at Ocean State Labs. 

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