Dundee Science Centre is planning a major expansion to give it a greater presence in the £1 billion waterfront redevelopment.
It has received an £850,000 grant from the Wellcome Trust to form a mezzanine level and create a new medical technology exhibition.
Another £500,000 is needed to complete the project and an ambitious fundraising drive will take place this year to achieve the £1.35 million target.
Louise Smith, chief executive, said: “We are grateful to the Wellcome Trust for supporting our exciting development plans, which remain at an early stage while we continue fundraising.
“Dundee Science Centre has developed significantly over recent years and is a well-recognised educational hub throughout the area, and indeed nationally.
“From a tourism perspective, the centre is also the region’s most highly-visited attraction.”
Its science festival last year had more than 10,000 visitors, making it the fastest-growing event of its kind in Scotland.
Details of the centre’s activities were revealed in a report that will go to city councillors on Monday. The report showed the local authority’s funding commitment for 2014-15 will be £43,787.
Council chief executive David Dorward said: “2013-14 was a positive year for Dundee Science Centre.
“The continuation and growth of the audience development initiative reaching more hard-to-reach communities, the expansion of national contracts and a national headlining exhibition all helped ensure that they had a strong year.”
He added: “2014-15 will be a busy and important year for the centre.
“Leading two science festivals, operating nationally-significant contracts, expanding the educational and learning offering and further embedding the work they do with hard to reach audiences within the community are key focuses.”
The centre employs 47 people, 30 of whom are full-time.