The Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust to host the national NIIMBL eXperience for Educators program in 2026

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT) was selected as one of six organizations nationwide to serve as a host site for the inaugural NIIMBL eXperience for Educators, a flagship workforce-development initiative of the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) this year.

The NIIMBL eXperience for Educators is a one- to two-day immersive program designed to introduce K–12 educators to the biopharmaceutical industry through hands-on experiences, industry engagement, and direct exposure to real manufacturing environments. The initiative aims to strengthen the biopharmaceutical talent pipeline by equipping educators with knowledge, tools, and resources they can integrate into their classrooms. This opportunity is offered under a Project Award Agreement from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) and financial assistance award number 70NANB21H086 from the U.S. Department of Commerce, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

“By giving K–12 educators a firsthand look at the biopharmaceutical industry, the NIIMBL eXperience for Educators creates a powerful multiplier effect: every teacher we impact can inspire and inform hundreds of students before they make decisions about college or careers after high school,” said John Balchunas, NIIMBL’s workforce director. “This ripple effect helps the industry address critical talent gaps by exposing more students to career opportunities in the biopharmaceutical sector.”

NIIMBL eXperience for Educators

Hosted at Science City, the innovation and research campus of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, the NIIMBL eXperience for Educators is an exclusive, fully funded, two-day immersion program aimed at high school STEM educators across Puerto Rico, primarily from the seven educational regions of the public school system.

The program connects classroom teaching with real-world industry practice by offering hands-on activities, interactive sessions, and exclusive site visits to leading biopharmaceutical companies such as Amgen, Eli Lilly, AbbVie, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Participants will explore biomanufacturing processes, career pathways, and educational routes, gaining tools to translate complex industry concepts into accessible, classroom-ready lessons.

Puerto Rico’s strategic role within global biopharmaceutical supply chains provides a unique context for examining the technical, economic, and social dimensions of biomanufacturing, positioning the Island as a living laboratory for workforce development and advanced manufacturing education.

“Being selected as a host site for the NIIMBL eXperience for Educators reaffirms Puerto Rico’s leadership in biomanufacturing and workforce development,” said Eng. Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust. “By empowering educators with direct exposure to industry, we multiply our impact—helping inspire the next generation of STEM talent and strengthening Puerto Rico’s role within the global biopharmaceutical ecosystem.”

All program-related expenses—including transportation, lodging, meals, and educational materials—will be fully covered. Participants will also receive a $500 stipend and a bilingual Classroom Activity Toolkit, which includes lesson plans, case studies, career pathway maps, and applied demonstration activities aligned with industry practices to support sustained classroom implementation.

Applications for the NIIMBL eXperience for Educators 2026 are now open.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://prsciencetrust.org/niimbl-experience-educators/
For program-related questions, email: workforce@niimbl.org.