With the intent of equipping laboratories and provide program support, the Mayo Clinic will donate $5 million to The Hormel Institute though the Hormel Foundation over a five-year period.

“Collaborations, like this between The Hormel Institute, Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota, will enable us to make discoveries much more quickly,” said Dr. Glenn Forces, chief executive officer for the Mayo Clinic, in a press release.

“We hope this gift will help provide the resources necessary so that The Hormel Institute will continue to thrive.”

The institute is currently gearing for the grand October opening of its new $20 million dollar expansion project, which will triple the Austin-based facility’s size.

According to the press release, the institute has brought researchers from around the globe to conduct biomedical research, particularly focused on cancer prevention and therapy, such as natural, nontoxic alternatives to chemotherapy.

“The progress of medical research that is occurring and will occur because of the strengthening collaboration between The Hormel Institute and Mayo Clinic is significant,” institute executive director Dr. Zigang Dong said in the release. “We are deeply thankful to Mayo Clinic for this historic gift to the Hormel Foundation on our behalf, a first that is the first in May Clinic’s history. This financial support shows their dedication to our partnership.”