Technology innovation grants available

A new grant program to help businesses solve tough scientific or engineering problems was unveiled yesterday by the New Hampshire Industrial Research Center at the University of New Hampshire.

The Granite State Technology Innovation Grant funds research partnerships between New Hampshire companies and academic institutions, with the goal of creating jobs through technology development and innovation.

Since 1992, the IRC has awarded more than $4 million in matching funds from the state Department of Resources and Economic Development to a total of 103 companies. The IRC’s original program, the Technical Assistance Grant, has been replaced by the Granite State Technology Innovation Grant program.

A request for proposals has been issued, with application deadlines of Nov. 15, 2006, and March 15, 2007. The RFP encourages applications for projects in bioinformatics, computational tools, environmental technologies, geospatial analysis, information technology, materials science, medical technologies, nanotechnology, optics, precision engineering, robotics and sensors, but other disciplines also will be considered, the IRC said.

Awards range from $20,000 to $100,000 and require a similar match of cash or in-kind contributions from the company. Funds are distributed to the academic institution providing the research assistance, with preference given to New Hampshire colleges or universities.

The NHIRC can assist companies in finding an academic expert to work on their project, the center said.

For more information, visit the IRC’s Web site or call Michelle Gregoire at 862-0126.