Volta Labs Launches Access Program to Support Academic Researchers Amid Budget Cuts

Academic research institutions are facing tightening capital budgets and funding uncertainty. At a time when academic researchers are being asked to do more with less, Volta is keeping Callisto accessible by launching the Volta Access Program; a new initiative aimed at increasing access to its Callisto™ Sample Prep System for academic research institutions in the U.S. facing tightening capital budgets. Selected applicants will be able to access Callisto for $4,950 per month over a 24-month term, with full service support and no consumables minimum — helping labs stay productive even as financial caution shapes decision-making across the academic community. 

"At a time when labs are being forced into essential spending only, we’re meeting researchers where they are — cautious, budget-conscious, but still determined to advance critical research for healthcare and national security,” said Udayan Umapathi, CEO of Volta Labs. "The need for advancements in research doesn’t stop because of tight budgets, and neither should access to the tools that drive discovery.”

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Supporting Researchers Through Unprecedented Challenges

The academic research community is facing extraordinary pressures. NIH budget reductions, grant delays, and widespread freezes on capital spending are forcing many labs to rethink purchasing decisions and delay new initiatives. Across institutions, there is a growing shift toward prioritizing operational survival over expansion.

Access to the right tools remains critical for research progress, even as budgets tighten. The Volta Access Program is designed to meet this moment by removing traditional barriers to technology adoption. By eliminating upfront equipment costs and offering a flexible monthly payment structure, the program helps labs continue advancing their work without taking on heavy financial burdens. Full service support is included to ensure seamless operations, and there is no consumables minimum, providing researchers with complete flexibility in how they use the system.

With Callisto, labs can not only maintain but accelerate their work, thanks to a platform that is:

• Simple to operate with minimal staffing
• Cost-efficient, reducing reagent use and sequencing reruns
• Scalable, supporting a wide range of genomic applications

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Program Highlights:

• Access to Callisto for $4,950/month over 24 months
• Service contract included for ongoing support
• No minimum consumables commitment, ensuring complete usage flexibility
• At the end of the term, customers can either continue monthly payments or purchase the system at a significantly discounted price
• Full access to current and future apps released during the program

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Current Apps Menu Includes:

• High Molecular Weight DNA Extraction
• DNA Extraction for Short Read Sequencing
• DNA Library Prep for Illumina
• PacBio SMRTBELL 3.0 Library Prep
• Hybrid Capture for IDT XGen™ V2 Chemistry
• Double-Sided Size Selection

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*This program runs through July 31, 2025. Submissions are limited to U.S.- based academic labs and must be received by July 30, 2025.*

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