Next month, Bigelow Laboratory will officially celebrate the opening of the Harold Alfond Center for Ocean Education and Innovation, which will transform the institute’s education and solutions-focused work. The new space is being named in honor of Harold Alfond to celebrate the generous support that has made this significant investment possible.

The $8 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation was essential to breaking ground on a physical expansion that will, in turn, expand opportunities for business innovation and applied research and enhance the institute’s education programs. That generosity will be celebrated with signs welcoming visitors to the new space as they enter.

“Bigelow Laboratory is a shining example of the kind of world-class scientific leadership that not only puts Maine on the map but keeps it at the forefront of ocean research and education,” said Greg Powell, chairman of the Alfond Foundation. “We at the Harold Alfond Foundation are proud to continue our support of this extraordinary institution.” 

The new 25,000-square-foot addition constitutes a 40% increase in the laboratory’s footprint, providing significant and essential space to accommodate a growing staff — and a growing portfolio of research that takes on some of the biggest challenges facing our planet.

“None of this work would be possible without supporters like the Harold Alfond Foundation who recognize the value — for our communities, our businesses, and our future — of a bold investment into ocean science,” said Vice President for Strategic Alliances and Advancement Jennifer Cutshall. “They’ve been among our most dedicated partners in advancing education and innovation for Maine, and we’re thrilled to honor that support with this name.” 

The expansion includes dedicated, high-tech teaching labs and classrooms so more students, scientists, and resource managers can benefit from the institute’s array of educational and professional development programs. Cutting-edge laboratory facilities will accommodate several new research groups, while newly endowed funds will provide “kickstarter” grants to explore promising, early-stage ideas. At the centerpiece of the expansion is a modern and versatile, 300-seat forum that will serve as a hub for international scientific collaboration and community education. 

Bigelow Laboratory’s current campus was the first scientific research laboratory to achieve LEED Platinum status in Maine. Continuing that legacy of leadership, the new Harold Alfond Center is one of the first Build America Buy America Act-compliant construction projects in the nation, fostering domestic economic growth by prioritizing American-made materials. 

In addition to the support of the Harold Alfond Foundation, the new center was made possible by other philanthropic gifts totaling $13 million and $12 million in federal funding through the National Institute of Standards and Technology 2023 Construction Grant Program. That includes a $2 million maintenance endowment contributed by an anonymous donor, which will permanently support capital repairs and equipment replacement to ensure the long-term viability of the new space. 

“We’re so grateful to everyone who made this possible, from the Harold Alfond Foundation and individual donors to lawmakers and our local community,” said Bigelow Laboratory President and CEO Deborah Bronk. “It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we work together. This new space will be infused with that spirit while we use it as a gathering space, a nexus for marine science, and a launch pad for bold and urgent innovation.” 

The official dedication and grand opening of the Harold Alfond Center for Ocean Education and Innovation will take place in June with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration for supporters and staff of the laboratory.

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is an independent, nonprofit research institute located in East Boothbay, Maine. From the Arctic to the Antarctic, Bigelow Laboratory scientists use innovative approaches to study the foundation of global ocean health and unlock its potential to improve the future for all life on the planet. Learn more at bigelow.org.