Press Release: 9/16/2025
Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches $14.5 Million Program to Upgrade Lab Facilities on Public Higher Education Campuses
Fair Share funding will enable projects to modernize labs and other applied learning spaces, improving workforce training opportunities for students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/15/2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Karissa Hand, Press Secretary
Phone
Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025
BOSTON — Today, Governor Maura Healey announced the Program for Applied Learning Space Modernization, a new initiative to support effective workforce development in Massachusetts by renovating applied learning spaces on the 29 UMass, State University, and Community College campuses. Through the Program, the Healey-Driscoll Administration will distribute $500,000 to every Massachusetts Institute of Higher Education (IHE) to fund the study and design of a project that modernizes instructional labs, studios, and other applied learning facilities.
“Massachusetts’s public higher education system is not only critical to the students who attend our world-class schools—it is also a vital talent pipeline for the businesses and organizations that drive our economy and keep us competitive as a state,” said Governor Healey. “Through the BRIGHT Act that I filed earlier this year and the new program we’re launching today with the support of the Legislature, we’re investing in our campuses so that Massachusetts students are prepared to succeed in the workforce of the future.”
"Massachusetts is the best state in the country to get an education, and our administration doesn't take that for granted,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The $500,000 we are distributing to every public higher education institute in the state will equip our campuses to continue providing the hands-on learning experiences that attract students from across the country to Massachusetts.”
Projects funded through the Program will focus on enhancing student outcomes by improving learning environments, creating adaptable and inclusive spaces, and incorporating industry standard technology for innovative teaching.
Earlier this summer, Governor Healey signed a $1.32 billion supplemental budget bill that invested surplus Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) revenues from the voter-approved Fair Share surtax, including the $14.5 million to be disbursed through this Program.
The Program for Applied Learning Space Modernization builds on the Administration’s Workforce Skills Capital grants. In 2024, the administration awarded nearly $15 million to 65 high schools, colleges, and educational institutions to support schools and higher education institutions to upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs for young people and adults, and increase capacity in workforce training programs across Massachusetts. Further, the administration’s FY26-FY30 Capital Investment Plan (CIP), released in June, included $75 million for these grants.
“This program will support our campuses in making important upgrades, providing students with modern and immersive spaces and tools to prepare them for the workforce and successful careers,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It builds on the values showcased in the BRIGHT Act—ensuring students have the spaces, resources, and experiences they deserve. I am grateful to our colleges and universities for their continued commitment to transforming student learning so that students across the state can realize their dreams.”
"Investments in the Massachusetts public higher education system pay off in our business community and our economy by supporting our highly trained and skilled workforce,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “With the BRIGHT Act filed earlier this year, our Administration proposed leveraging Fair Share revenues into new bonding capacity to enable generational improvements to our higher education infrastructure. The program we are launching today is a down payment on our BRIGHT proposal, and we are pleased to continue partnering with each IHE in Massachusetts to put these funds to work.”
“Public higher education is one of the Commonwealth’s most powerful economic and equity engines,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “Today, the Commonwealth reaffirms its commitment to workforce development through public higher education with the announcement of the Program for Applied Learning Space Modernization. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to find innovative ways to support students, faculty, staff, and the Commonwealth.”
“I commend the Governor’s initiative, which will support essential upgrades to instructional spaces across Massachusetts’ public higher education institutions. These modernization efforts will strengthen the Commonwealth’s ability to deliver high-quality, innovative education and help cultivate a pipeline of top-tier talent for our workforce. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Healey and her team to support our higher education institutions and ensure our schools remain among the best in the nation,” said Representative Dave Rogers.
“The entire Commonwealth benefits when students learn in spaces that match the high-quality education they receive at our public colleges and universities,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Healey-Driscoll Administration and to the legislature for their commitment to modernizing our campus spaces, because these investments are crucial to helping students learn, grow, and launch careers that meet workforce needs.”
“Modernizing and improving the facilities for hands-on learning is critical to helping each of Massachusetts’ public higher education institutions meet the contemporary learning needs of their students,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “DCAMM is grateful to the Legislature for their investment in addressing the facility needs of our higher education campuses and looks forward to continuing to partner with them to advance these projects into construction as immediate benefits from the BRIGHT Act once it is adopted.”
To receive funding for a project, IHEs must complete a Request for Information (RFI) describing their proposed project by October 30, 2025. The administration expects to release the list of projects early in 2026.