Massachusetts Governor Proposes $400M State Research Fund

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has proposed a $400 million state fund called DRIVE (Discovery, Research and Innovation for a Vibrant Economy) to support university, healthcare, and independent research amid federal funding cuts under President Trump’s administration. The initiative aims to sustain Massachusetts’s leadership in research and innovation, which is critical for the state’s economy, particularly given its disproportionate share of research and development jobs and funding nationally. Half of the fund will be allocated to a multiyear research pool supporting hospitals, universities, and research institutions, while the other half will assist public colleges and universities with research-related costs and partnerships. Healey emphasized the importance of protecting Massachusetts’s biomedical research ecosystem and fostering innovation and job growth despite federal uncertainty. The plan also includes the creation of a nonprofit and advisory commission to enhance funding and job opportunities in the state’s research sector. University leaders praised the proposal, highlighting its potential to retain talent and maintain Massachusetts’s global research leadership.