The NH-LIFT Core Facility Voucher Program aims to catalyze business and academic research & innovation by expanding access to leading-edge research facilities, equipment, and technical support across New Hampshire’s colleges and universities.
The NH-LIFT consortium of partners will include 10 campus locations with current counts of 9 core facilities and 71 instruments. Instruments that are currently available can be found here (Research Instrumentation Navigator) and are available for use with the voucher program. Note: the number of instruments included within the Research Instrumentation Navigator and voucher program will expand over time.
Funding is intended to help both New Hampshire-based academic researchers and businesses mature technologies, test and characterize prototypes and products, advance basic research, generate data for external funding opportunities, explore a new technology that has been previously cost-prohibitive, or expand into an entirely new field of research. Funding should support new or expanded use of core facilities, rather than replace existing funding for on-going projects.
Please see below for more information, or email nh.epscor@unh.edu with any questions
Funding is available from ASAP, 2026 – April 30, 2027. It is anticipated that most individual voucher requests will not exceed $20,000 without strong justification. Individual applicants or businesses are limited to a maximum of $60,000 in funding per year. Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The NH University & Industry Plan identifies three broad domains as leading drivers of economic growth in New Hampshire.
Advanced Manufacturing: Computer and Electronic Components; Advanced Materials; and Renewable Energy
Information Technology: System Networks; Data Analytics, AI, and Machine Learning
Life Sciences: Biotherapeutics; MedTech; Quantitative Biology & Bioinformatics; and Environmental Remote Sensing
While requests across all disciplines in science and engineering will be considered for funding, those that advance research and innovation aligned with one or more of the above focus areas will be prioritized.
For-profit businesses registered to do business in New Hamshire are eligible to apply.
Faculty from academic institutions located in New Hampshire are eligible to apply.
To obtain a voucher, applicants must develop a scope of work and quote with an eligible Core Facility [Research Instrumentation Navigator]
Core Facilities should apply rates that align with their institutional policies.
The completed form will be submitted to nh.epscor@unh.edu and reviewed by the AIRF review team
Funding decisions will be made within 10 business days.
If approved, a notification letter will be sent to the applicant identifying the total voucher amount, Core Facility to be used, voucher start date, and voucher expiration date.
Core Facilities will be directly reimbursed for services provided to the applicant up to the requested budget limit.
Core Facilities will submit a fee for service invoice to NH-LIFT with a copy to the applicant.
Duration of voucher: six months. Renewal and scope/budget modifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Any funds not used will be returned to the general pool for reallocation.
1. Alignment, Innovation, and Use of Core Facilities
Clear alignment with program goals (technology maturation, prototype testing, new research exploration, preliminary data generation, expanded problem solving capabilities).
Demonstrates meaningful innovation or advancement.
Strong justification for new or expanded use of core facilities (not ongoing work).
2. Feasibility and Team Capability
Well-designed, realistic work plan with achievable milestones.
Appropriate and essential use of the selected core facilities.
Team has the necessary expertise and resources to execute the project successfully.
3. Potential Impact and Pathway Forward
Strong potential for follow-on external funding, commercialization, or future research growth.
Demonstrates scientific, technological, or economic benefit that advances New Hampshire science and technology priorities.
Produces outcomes that materially advance the project beyond its current stage.