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H 4375

An Act to preserve and advance Massachusetts’ competitiveness in discovery, research, and innovation for a vibrant economy

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The DRIVE Act creates multi-year, diversified funding for Massachusetts research and higher education through a $200M Research Resilience Fund, a Catalyst Fund, and public bridge f

Accompanied a new draft, see H5259
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Bill Summary · H 4375

Summary: H.4375 – DRIVE Act (An Act to preserve and advance Massachusetts’ competitiveness in discovery, research, and innovation for a vibrant economy)

Purpose and Context

  • The DRIVE Act is a comprehensive investment aimed at preserving Massachusetts’ leadership in research, discovery, and innovation amid potential reductions in federal funding and increasing global competition.
  • It seeks to create jobs, strengthen local economies, and ensure the health and competitiveness of the state's science and technology sectors by building a more resilient, multi-source funding ecosystem for research and higher education.
  • The Governor frames the bill as part of a broader strategy, including executive action, to sustain Massachusetts’s world-class research ecosystem.

Key Provisions and Mechanisms

A. Research Resilience Fund

  • Establishes a $200 million multi-year fund to support research projects at Massachusetts hospitals, universities, and independent research institutions.
  • Priorities: high-value initiatives with clear public benefit, strong scientific promise, and significant economic/workforce impact.
  • Uses: expands allowable uses of earnings from the Federal Match Fund tied to the state’s Stabilization Fund, while preserving existing commitments and positioning for future funding opportunities.

B. Research Catalyst Fund

  • Creates a fund to receive and distribute philanthropic contributions and industry-matching funds.
  • Donor options: direct support to specific institutions/projects or contribute to a shared pool.
  • Purpose: complement public investments and accelerate strategic research initiatives.

C. Research Opportunity Review Board

  • A governance body comprising experts from higher education, philanthropy, health care, and industry.
  • Responsibilities: oversee the two funds (Research Resilience Fund and Research Catalyst Fund), assess proposals, and guide strategic investments.

D. Public Higher Education Bridge Funding Reserve

  • A separate $200 million fund funded through Fair Share revenue to support public colleges and universities.
  • Allocations include:
    • $80 million for flexible campus funding for research-related expenses
    • $50 million to retain/extend positions for graduate students, postdocs, and early-career researchers
    • $20 million to support regional research partnerships and joint ventures to expand statewide access and opportunity

E. Advisory Commission (Executive Action)

  • Governor-led initiative establishing the Advisory Commission on Advancing Research and Discovery in Massachusetts to propose long-term strategy, collaboration models, and sustainability recommendations.

Governance, Administration, and Timeline

  • Status: House reporting date extended to Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Legislative actions include hearings and consideration in the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies committee.
  • Notable dates: Senate concurrence (August 7, 2025); initial referral (August 4, 2025); hearing adjustments (October 2025); emergency preface in the accompanying gubernatorial message.
  • The bill also references related HD 4990 (replaces), indicating an alternate or companion measure.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary beneficiaries: Massachusetts hospitals, universities, and independent research institutions.
  • Secondary beneficiaries: public colleges/universities, graduate students, postdocs, early-career researchers, regional research partnerships, industry partners, and the broader workforce in construction, health care, education, and related sectors.
  • Impacts: aims to strengthen Massachusetts’ research infrastructure, sustain economic growth, and preserve jobs by diversifying funding sources and fostering collaboration across sectors.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes emergency effectiveness and long-term resilience of the Commonwealth’s research economy.
  • Specific dollar amounts and program design are central to the bill’s strategy for stabilizing and expanding research activity alongside public higher education support.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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