Nearly $2 Million for MDI Biological Laboratory Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $1,975,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the MDI Biological Laboratory in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The legislation, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

"For more than two decades, the MDI Biological Laboratory has offered educational programing and training for students, helping to grow Maine's STEM workforce," said Senator Collins. "This funding would support the creation of a facility that would expand the Lab's capacity to accommodate additional educators, scientists, and students participating in these important training programs. As the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward."

"Senator Collins is a steadfast, visionary champion of Maine's growing bioscience ecosystem," said Hermann Haller, M.D., President of MDI Biological Laboratory. "This measure would expose more Maine students and educators to cutting-edge biomedical research and help them take their place in a biomedical revolution that is transforming human health."

This funding would support the MDI Biological Laboratory's efforts to construct a Center for Advancing Science Education on its Bar Harbor campus. This facility would provide a central location for participating educators and students from throughout Maine to undergo program orientation, receive career counseling, explore internship opportunities, attend lectures and participate in career training sessions.

This funding advanced through the Committee's markup of the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill-an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

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