Equipping your institution in partnership with Seeding Labs
We want the equipment we provide to significantly improve scientific teaching and research for as many scientists as possible. To achieve this, we work with universities and research institutions to equip multiple labs and departments at a time. Currently, our focus is working with institutions in East Africa. We specialize in equipment for biology and chemistry research and do not equip clinics.
We aim to assist institutions:
- in settings of scarce resources for research
- that will have an impact on education in their communities
- that will conduct research addressing issues in their communities
- with achievable research plans where our contribution can make a significant difference
- that do have sufficient support to cover the costs of shipping and handling equipment and meet needs for chemicals and other non-equipment related costs of science
If you are an individual scientist, we encourage you to involve your institution’s leadership in determining whether a larger-scale partnership with Seeding Labs is possible. Please read more about what Seeding Labs can provide below.
We are looking for partners to help us build our capacity to expand our work in East Africa and beyond. Please contact us if you can help with this expansion.
What we can provide:
Equipment:
Seeding Labs specializes in equipment suitable for research and teaching in biology, molecular biology and chemistry. This includes but is not limited to equipment for PCR, chromatography, electrophoresis and gel imaging; water baths; vortex mixers; heat/stir plates; glass bottles and beakers; spectrophotometers; centrifuges; microscopes and balances. We can also provide consumable goods such as latex gloves, microcentrifuge tubes, glass tubes, pipettes, tissue culture plates, flasks and others.
Community:
Seeding Labs is an official partner of ResearchGATE, an online professional network for scientists. All scientists at institutions donating equipment to and receiving equipment from Seeding Labs are eligible for membership in our ResearchGATE community, providing an opportunity to meet colleagues around the globe for future professional collaborations.
Seeding Labs currently cannot:
- Send individual items or very small shipments of equipment.
- Assist individual laboratories
- Assist primary or secondary schools
- Assist for-profit entities
- Assist private individuals
- Provide chemicals, reagents or clinical equipment
Before contacting us, please read about the process of equipment transfer partnerships and Frequently Asked Questions below.
You can also see a list of common equipment we provide here.
The process of equipping your facility with Seeding Labs
Below is an overview of the process of working with Seeding Labs to obtain high-quality reclaimed laboratory equipment. While this encapsulates the basics, we value working with our partner institutions to develop a customized plan that meets their needs. Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it about working with your institution.
Needs Assessment
We work with university administrators and professors to complete an assessment questionnaire. This process helps determine the current state of the university in terms of facilities, students, and curricula; the needs for equipment that would allow the university to achieve specific goals in research and teaching; and helps us understand other problems facing scientists such as difficulties in repairing equipment and obtaining chemicals and other supplies.
Response Plan
After reviewing the needs for equipment, we work with university administration to determine a plan for meeting those needs. Administrative costs are based on the size of the shipment as well as other services provided.
Sourcing Equipment
The process for gathering, testing, and packing the right equipment for each institution takes approximately 3 months to complete. Equipment is screened to ensure that nothing outdated or broken is sent. Our online inventory allows scientists to view the specific models available and choose the right ones for them.
Shipping
We rely on receiving institutions to pay shipping and handling costs that are proportional to the value of the equipment being sent. Receiving institutions also coordinate the proper paperwork and other customs procedures for import of their equipment.
Follow-Up
We follow up regularly with the institutions and individual scientists we help to make sure equipment is still useful, to learn how their work is progressing, and to explore other ways to provide assistance.
Community building
All scientists will be eligible to join our ResearchGATE community. We may also provide connections to universities in North America for direct research exchange programs, visitingscholarships, and other joint programs. With other NGO partners we are also available to develop training courses for students and lab managers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much equipment can Seeding Labs provide?
Seeding Labs can provide you with a shipment size that meets your needs. We prefer not to send individual or a few pieces of equipment at a time to maximize the efficiency of shipping. Our typical shipments are partial container-loads or full 20 foot shipping containers.
How much equipment fits in a shipping container?
A 20 foot shipping container holds enough equipment for a small university department, or 5-10 individual research labs (depending on the size of the labs and the sizes of specific pieces of equipment.) The list below represents half of a 20 foot container’s worth of equipment.
What equipment can Seeding Labs provide?
We specialize in equipment for basic biology, molecular biology and basic chemistry. The list below gives an indication of the most common items we send, including water baths, electrophoresis and PCR equipment, microcentrifuges and tissue culture plasticware.
How much will the equipment cost?
Institutions receiving equipment from Seeding Labs must cover the cost of international shipping and a handling fee of 15% of the fair market value of the equipment. A 20 foot container shipment represents shipping and handling costs of approximately $100,000 for equipment valued at over $600,000.
Where does the equipment come from? What condition is it in?
Seeding Labs works with universities, hospitals, life sciences companies and manufacturers to source gently-used or new equipment as well as unused disposable supplies. We test every piece of equipment to ensure that it works and will alert the receiving scientists of any limitations of equipment before they decide to include it in their shipment. We will not send obsolete or damaged equipment.
Can Seeding Labs provide spare parts or reagents for the equipment?
We cannot provide you with reagents. We may be able to provide spare parts for certain items with advance notice.
Who handles shipping?
We rely on receiving institutions to determine all required customs procedures and paperwork and to cover any import duties on equipment. We will comply with any paperwork that is required of us, and ensure that US export requirements are met. We typically ship by sea freight.
We look forward to helping your institution fulfill its potential. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to talk about your needs and becoming a partner.