The Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) serves as a campus-wide hub for translational research at UMass Amherst and catalyzes the advancement of discoveries into product candidates, technologies, and services that deliver societal benefit.  The umbrella Institute and associated Centers - the Models to Medicines Center (M2M), the Center for Bioactive Delivery (CBD), and the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring (CPHM) - operate as an integrated unit to support three objectives:

• Early-stage translational research – from a lab project to a product candidate, service or technology that solves an unmet need for the common good.  
• Develop late-stage translational products - by advancing a project towards commercialization through startup companies, non-profits, or tech-transfer licenses.
• Share a translational infrastructure - including centralized core equipment facilities, start-up incubator spaces called “collaboratories”, and know-how sessions for regional entrepreneurs.

IALS is a broad community of Innovators - made up of more than 270 faculty and associated students from 28+ departments spanning 6 schools and colleges. It enables these researchers and regional innovators to navigate the difficult journey between fundamental research results and innovative product candidates, technologies, and services that benefit human health and well-being.

The Institute provides training for the next generation of entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers. Training programs build broad-based skills essential to globally competitive students and innovators. In-depth venture mentoring helps researchers go from idea to a fundable organization.

IALS provides students and faculty access to equipment and start-up facilities. Core Facilities offer state-of-the-art R&D equipment while providing student interns with experience in an industry-like setting. IALS Collaboratories provide secure laboratories to campus spinoffs and startups near the Core Facilities they need.

Translational Funding is provided through Translational Seed Awards, Translational Graduate Student Assistantships, Manning/IALS Innovation Assistantships, and Summer Core Facilities Internships.  These seed fund programs enable promising translational research and provide professional experience and financial support to students.

A significant fraction of funding for IALS comes from philanthropy, and in particular, from gifts from the Manning Family Foundation.

We seek gifts of any size that will directly support the following:   

• Student training, assistantship, internship, and award opportunities
• Faculty and student translational research funding 
• Maintaining state-of-the-art equipment facilities to enable research translation 

Together, we will continue to leverage the power of innovation and translational research for the common good. 

We are very grateful for your support