Rebuild IL Wet Lab Capital Program–Applications due Jan. 27

Rebuild IL Wet Lab Capital Program–Applications due Jan. 27

  • Posted by Barrington Hills
  • On January 4, 2021

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the Rebuild Illinois Wet Lab Capital Program, a new initiative designed to address critical lab space required for startup and growth-stage life sciences companies. The State is making an initial $9 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) available to expand access to 21st-century lab space to incubators, corporations,  university researchers, and start-ups, with a matching requirement bringing the total impact of this program to at least $18 million. This new initiative by the Pritzker administration will promote Illinois’ ability to retain and attract companies in the critically important life sciences industry. The NOFO can be found on DCEO’s website.

Wet Lab Capital projects must demonstrate that the facility will fill a gap needed in the region, and priority will be given to those projects demonstrating partnership with incubators, universities and colleges,  medical facilities, and/or businesses requiring wet lab space. Applicants must also present a plan for recruiting from underserved areas, as well as to achieve minority business participation requirements of the State of Illinois’ Business Enterprise Program.

To qualify for the NOFO, the space must be a multi-tenant space available to incubators, corporations, university researchers, and/or  start-ups. On-site, owner-occupied space for individual corporations is not eligible. More information on eligibility and the application can be found on DCEO’s website.

Applications for Rebuild Illinois Wet Lab Capital Program NOFO are due on January 27. DCEO has posted a technical assistance webinar which can be viewed at any time. For the webinar, more information on eligibility, and how to apply, visit  DCEO’s website