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UC San Diego Second Lab Collaboration

Last Updated: June 8, 2025 1:12:06 PM PDT
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UC San Diego has partnered with Second Lab to simplify access to advanced scientific equipment and expertise.

UC San Diego has signed an agreement with Second Lab, an online platform that connects researchers with core laboratory facilities at leading research institutions. The service streamlines administration and enhances collaboration across research institutions through a centralized online platform.

What does Second Lab do?

The Second Lab platform allows core recharge facilities to showcase their services, equipment, and training opportunities, helping to increase visibility and generate additional revenue from underutilized resources.  

Second Lab handles external service agreement negotiations, billing, and collections, thereby reducing administrative burden for both providers and users. For researchers, the platform offers a streamlined way to discover and access core services, enabling faster project turnaround and potential cost savings.  By simplifying scheduling, approvals, and payments—and fostering collaboration between researchers and institutional labs—Second Lab supports a more connected and efficient research ecosystem.

Review the full UC San Diego/Second Lab agreement here. 


Interested in registering your facility?
Please complete the intake form here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q: Is UC San Diego requiring all facilities to sign up with Second Lab?

No, participation in Second Lab is completely optional.

Q: If I sign up, do I have to list all of my services?

No, you can choose which services to list on the platform.

Q: We already use our own scheduling software. Can it be integrated with Second Lab?

Yes, Second Lab is open to integrating existing calendaring platforms. We encourage you to speak with them directly about compatibility and setup.

Q: What are the benefits of signing up?

If your facility has excess capacity or underutilized resources, Second Lab can help generate additional external revenue.

Q: Who handles the external contracts and invoicing?

Second Lab will manage all external service agreements and billing. The Office of Innovation will ensure payments are correctly deposited into the appropriate chartstrings.

Q: Is there an onboarding fee?

Yes, there is a one-time onboarding fee of approximately $10,000–$20,000.  However, this fee is waived if the facility joins the platform before May 1, 2026.

Q: What does Second Lab charge?

Second Lab charges a 16.7% fee on external revenue collected. The net impact will be a 21% price increase over existing rates. Facilities may need to adjust thier external rates accordingly. We have created a fee calculator (download the calculator here) so you can see the fee breakdown.

Q: What is the ORI fee?

The Office of Research and Innovation charges 1% of external revenue for administering the Second Lab contract and distributing revenue to each facility.

Q: Will these fees apply to existing customers?

Yes.  Facilities will have up to 12 months to onboard existing external customers.  A list of current customers must be submitted at the time of onboarding.  After 12 months, all external customers must go through Second Lab.

Q: Is there a required minimum time commitment to stay on the platform?

No. However, if a facility chooses to discontinue using Second Lab, it must continue paying the Second Lab fee for non–pre-existing customers for up to 12 months.

Q: I want to find more information regarding the Second Lab platform. Who do I contact?

Reach out to Kyle Koleoglou (kyle@secondlab.com) 

For additional information, please contact Kyle Nakanishi, Director of Business Operations for the Office of Research and Innovation at knakanishi@ucsd.edu.