BEAM Circular Awards $1.06 Million for 12 projects to Advance Bioeconomy Workforce Development in Stanislaus County
Biology students at Salida Middle School, which received a BEAM Circular grant to launch a biotechnology program.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stanislaus County, CA (February 2X, 2026) — With support from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding provided by Stanislaus County, BEAM Circular launched two competitive grant programs on June 9, 2025 to strengthen education and workforce training providers and accelerate the region’s growing bio-based manufacturing sector: The Stanislaus Bioeconomy Workforce Development Fund and Stanislaus Wet Lab & Training Facilities Fund.
BEAM Circular announced a first round of awards last August, totaling $970,000 in grant funding for bioeconomy workforce development projects led by Modesto Junior College, CSU Stanislaus, and VOLT Institute.
BEAM Circular is pleased to share a second round of grants that have been awarded to local education and training organizations, totaling $1.064 million in grant funding. A total of twelve projects were selected for funding by an independent review panel, with funds being used to launch efforts ranging from professional development for local teachers, to early childhood exposure to engineering concepts, to equipment purchases for science classrooms.
“These investments reflect a deliberate, long-term strategy to build a resilient bioeconomy workforce in Stanislaus County—starting with early education and extending through community colleges, universities, and adult workforce training,” said Gloriamar Gamez, Chief Program Officer of BEAM Circular. “By strengthening curriculum, educator training, lab infrastructure, and industry-connected learning, we are ensuring local students and workers are prepared for high-quality jobs while supporting innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in our region.”
“This funding allows us to strategically align education, workforce training, and industry needs across Stanislaus County,” said Gloriamar Gamez, Chief Program Officer of BEAM Circular. “By investing in educators, modern learning environments, and hands-on, career-connected experiences, we’re expanding access to opportunity while building a workforce that can support innovation, attract investment, and drive long-term economic growth. Our goal is to ensure students and workers—regardless of age or background—can see themselves in the future of a more sustainable and resilient bioeconomy.”
Funded Projects
Stanislaus Wet Lab & Training Facilities Fund
Modesto Junior College – Advancing Biotechnology & Bioengineering Training in the Valley ($208,800): Expanding lab capacity with industry-grade equipment to strengthen hands-on training and reach up to 17,500 students over five years.
Patterson Joint Unified School District – Agriculture, Wet Lab, and Bioeconomy Expansion Initiative ($134,774.44): Establishing a districtwide bioeconomy pathway with new STEM labs, upgraded greenhouses, and dual-enrollment opportunities.
Stanislaus Bioeconomy Workforce Development Fund
Bay Area Bioscience Education Community (BABEC) – Building a Sustainable Bioeconomy Ecosystem in Stanislaus County ($89,500): Training teachers through a biotech bootcamp, providing lab access and microcredentials, and scaling impact to thousands of students.
CSU Stanislaus & Modesto Junior College – Strengthening Pathways to Biotechnology Careers ($100,000): Expanding biotech education through a new certificate program, AI-in-biology coursework, internships, summer programs, and educator training, reaching approximately 1,200 participants.
Ignited & Stanislaus Partners in Education – Bioeconomy Experience Week and Learning Community Seminar ($99,998): Immersing middle and high school educators in local bioeconomy industries to develop standards-aligned, career-connected curriculum.
Modesto Junior College – Exploring Bioeconomy Curriculum Pathways for the Central Valley ($82,754): Designing cross-disciplinary, stackable bioeconomy curriculum pathways aligned with regional workforce needs through faculty externships and employer engagement.
Modesto Junior College – Bioeconomy Educator Training Initiative ($67,000): Providing hands-on industry training for STEM faculty to expand and modernize biotech and biomanufacturing courses and career pathways.
Salida Middle School – Biotech Pathways: A Middle School Lab-Based Introduction to the Bioeconomy ($12,000): Launching a multi-year, hands-on biotechnology program for underserved middle school students with industry mentorship.
Walnut Elementary Education Center – Expand and Enhance Math and Science Magnet Program ($50,874): Expanding a sustainability-focused STEM magnet program with hands-on hydroponics, gardening, and technology tools for over 900 underserved students.
Stanislaus County Office of Education – Child & Family Services Division Bioeconomy Program ($100,000): Creating play-based STEAM resources for early learners (birth–grade 3) to introduce circularity, life science, and sustainability concepts.
Stanislaus County Office of Education – Career Inspiration Center Bioeconomy Hands-On Experience ($23,800): Delivering hands-on bioeconomy learning for grades 7–12 through agriculture, food processing, and byproduct repurposing partnerships.
yüda ayuda – Ignite EmTech Futures: Pathways into Biomanufacturing through Industry 4.0 Tools ($95,500): Training underserved residents in automation, IoT, and data skills for bioeconomy-related careers, serving 75 learners in 2026.
Together, these investments represent a coordinated, countywide effort to build a strong, inclusive bioeconomy workforce pipeline—supporting students from early learning through postsecondary education and into high-demand careers. By aligning education, infrastructure, and industry partnerships, Stanislaus County and BEAM Circular are laying the foundation for long-term economic resilience, innovation, and community prosperity. Additional project awards are currently under review, with further grant announcements expected in the coming months.
Educators participating in a professional development training through BABEC.
Federal funding acknowledgment: This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP2096 awarded to the County of Stanislaus by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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