Governor Newsom Budgets $20 Million For New Carnegie Life And Environmental Science Research Facility In Pasadena
Washington, DC—California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday announced $20 million in his 2023 fiscal year budget to support Carnegie’s new research facility in Pasadena. The proposed budget allocation still must clear the California State Senate and Assembly, which will begin to hold hearings in the coming weeks. It must be adopted by June 15.
The new 135,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art campus will bring the institution’s life and environmental scientists together in a single location adjacent to Caltech—making a decisive investment in the global fight against climate change. The facility will house more than 200 new hires and relocated staff, who will work collaboratively to tear down disciplinary silos and tackle environmental, biological, and energy system challenges at scales ranging from the molecular to the global.
“The proposed budget reflects the state’s commitment to bringing basic research to bear on the crucial task of mitigating climate change and is a strong endorsement of the importance of Carnegie’s ecological and biological sciences,” said Carnegie President Eric D. Isaacs. “We are grateful to Governor Newsom for recognizing the value that our research will bring to California. This will help facilitate our move to Pasadena and get us up and running to where we can help to improve the resilience of our environment to the greatest challenge facing humanity today.”
In selecting Pasadena as the site for an expanded Carnegie presence, Isaacs and Carnegie’s Trustees were strongly influenced by the institution's recently expanded partnership with Caltech, as well as the exceptional neighboring institutions that share Carnegie’s commitment to world-class scientific inquiry. As Carnegie researchers forge new alliances and deepen ongoing collaborations, this new facility will make a powerful contribution to Southern California’s growing reputation as a preeminent research hub.
State Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D–La Cañada Flintridge, was key in leading the effort with the governor’s office and his legislative colleagues to secure state support for the relocation and new facility.
“The senator’s leadership was instrumental in making this happen and generations of Californians will benefit,” Isaacs added. “We are also thankful for the support of Senator Portantino’s colleagues State Senators Henry Stern and Bob Wieckowski. Our collective efforts will continue as the state budgetary process advances through its next stages.”
“This is an exciting day for Californians, for Carnegie Science, and all those who are concerned about the consequences of global warming and other environmental impacts,” concluded Senator Portantino. “I am grateful to Governor Newsom for his continued leadership on environmental protection and for his recognition of the importance this new research campus will have for California and the positive impact it will have on combating environmental threats.”