
Biotechnology, using biological processes to make products and solve problems, is a rapidly developing field with a critical need for more skilled workers.
Since 2018, the bioscience industry has grown 11% nationwide, with a $7.3 billion economic impact on Alabama alone. Students pursuing associate degrees and stackable certificates are an ideal prospective workforce to help meet the growing demand for skilled biotechnology workers. Experiential learning opportunities such as industry-aligned training and internships provide an efficient on-ramp for these students to a career in biotechnology.
- Students seeking associate degrees or certificates
- Individuals with some college experience aiming to enhance their skills for a biotechnology career
INITIAL TRAINING AND PREPARATION PHASE 1:
- Will develop critical biotechnology skills. During this semester, students will attend class on the campus of HudsonAlpha Institute for nine hours/ week and work three hours/week on your own time.
- Participants will take the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE), developed by project partner and non-profit training center Biotility.
- During the Training semester, participants who complete the requirements of the Training semester program will be supported with a $2,700 stipend.
- Partner colleges may provide class credit for this program, with tuition paid by HudsonAlpha Biotech Launch. Additional financial support for transportation and meals on the HudsonAlpha campus will be provided.
SECOND PHASE:
- Participants can be placed in an industry internship in a partnering biotechnology company on HudsonAlpha’s campus.
- During the industry internship semester, students will be paid $20/hour and are expected to work up to 15 hours/week for a maximum of 225 hours. Placement in an industry internship is competitive based on the number of positions available.
- During the internship semester, students at partner schools may receive college credit for their internship work, and HudsonAlpha Biotech Launch will pay the tuition for the associated class.
- Students will participate in professional development sessions throughout the program. Wrap-around participant support will reduce barriers to program participation by providing monetary support for transportation and meals on the HudsonAlpha campus during both semesters.

The first cohort of Biotech Launch began in January 2024. Subsequent cohorts will be held in Fall 2024, Spring and Fall 2025, and Spring 2026.
The program application is open. Students must include a short personal statement, upload a resume, and provide the names of two references willing to upload a recommendation letter supporting their application. For more information about how to apply, contact Dr. Nikki Mertz – nmertz@hudsonalpha.org.
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The Biotech Launch program is made possible through a partnership between HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, The Alabama Community College System, Calhoun Community College, J.F. Drake State Community College and Technical College, Biotility Applied Biotech Training, GeneCapture Inc., Kailos, PoPTherapeutics, Synvivo Inc., Van Heron Labs, Inc. HudsonAlpha Biotech Launch is funded by NSF ExLENT grant award #2322497.
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a non-profit genomics and biotechnology research institute. HudsonAlpha is uniquely situated to implement the proposed program through its mission to do cutting-edge genomic research, drive economic development through biotechnology application, and train the next generation of the biotechnology workforce.