Samuels & Associates Grants $1 Million to Fund Scholarships for Students pursuing Life Sciences Training

March 17, 2023

In a first of its kind partnership, Samuels & Associates (S&A) is collaborating with Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (Franklin Cummings Tech), to establish a $1million scholarship fund and related programming to expand access to life sciences career paths.  In addition to direct grant funding to cover both tuition costs and living expenses for Franklin Cummings Tech biotechnology programs, Samuels & Associates plans to connect Franklin Cummings Tech students with a variety of mentorship, internship and other opportunities in partnership with current and future companies located at S&A commercial properties.

“Our development projects are helping build the biotechnology industry infrastructure in Boston, and through this partnership with Franklin Cummings Tech, we will contribute to creating career opportunities in biotechnology for Franklin Cummings Tech graduates and grow the skilled and diverse workforce the industry needs today,” said Steve Samuels, chairman and principal of Samuels & Associates. “Samuels & Associates is committed to advancing equity and seeing our economy thrive in everything we do, and we believe this scholarship created in partnership with Franklin Cummings Tech will achieve both of these goals.”

Franklin Cummings Tech announced in 2022 that it was pursuing accreditation for life sciences associates degree; as part of that process, the College appointed Heather Duffy, PhD, JD as the first chair of its newly-formed biotechnology department.  Under Dr. Duffy’s leadership, Franklin Cummings Tech is developing a two-year program with an industry-informed curriculum.

The program will focus on molecular biology, general chemistry, organic and biochemistry, chemistry manufacturing and control (CMC), and good lab practices. Franklin Cummings Tech students completing the program will earn a “Scientist 1” level of training and be able to perform routine scientific research tasks requiring the application of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.  These areas reflect high priority needs across the research and development sector of the life sciences community.

“Students from the communities we serve have not historically seen themselves in biotech careers, nor have they had the resources or relationships necessary to pursue the training that assures they can be well positioned for these careers,” said Dr. Aisha Francis, president & CEO of Franklin Cummings Tech. “Franklin Cummings Tech is already a trusted partner – to both the community and major employers.  Samuels recognized a gap in terms of encouraging more greater Boston residents to pursue this field and providing them with additional financial support and direct connections to future employers.  This meaningful funding commitment will help Franklin Cummings Tech more quickly advance its goal of creating a strong pipeline of talent via our biotechnology associate degree program.”

Franklin Cummings Tech is a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) with 74% students of color and 45% first-generation college students. The majority of its students come from Greater Boston (Boston, Cambridge, Quincy) and other Massachusetts Gateway Cities.  It also has a relationship with Boston’s Dearborn STEM Academy in Roxbury, with all students having a direct pipeline to enrollment at Franklin Cummings Tech.

About Samuels & Associates

Samuels & Associates specializes in fostering communities that inspire people to love where they are. We are stewards of the built environment and caretakers of our community’s vision, driven to create welcoming and inclusive spaces in Boston and beyond. Widely recognized for our effectiveness at placemaking and integrated open spaces, Samuels & Associates has achieved success in mixed-use development, leasing, and management over the past three decades. Active pedestrian environments, curated retail and restaurant storefronts, amenity-rich housing options, and creative life science and commercial spaces are hallmarks of Samuels developments. Learn more at www.samuelsre.com.