Governor Rell Announces Help for Companies Seeking Federal Aid for Technology Innovation

Deadline to Apply for State Aid is June 16

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the state will help Connecticut companies meet the matching funds requirement for a new federal program that encourages cutting-edge research in manufacturing and on projects that will help extend the life of major infrastructure projects like bridges, sewer systems and dams.

            The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) is supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This year, the TIP grants will be used to support research in manufacturing and infrastructure support. A single company can be eligible for up to $3 million and a joint venture can be eligible for up to $9 million in federal grants.

            To be eligible for the federal funds, a company must match the federal money dollar-for-dollar. To help them do that, Connecticut is making $2 million available through its Manufacturing Assistance Act. The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will award individual grants to companies on a competitive basis.

            “As I have said before, the best way out of this economic downturn is to literally work our way out of it,” Governor Rell said. “We are making smart, targeted investments in areas we expect will bring a high return. By assisting these entrepreneurial, high-tech ventures we have the potential to trigger transformational changes in our economy.

            “The TIP program can foster innovation and accelerate the growth and success of Connecticut’s high-tech companies,” the Governor said. “I am hopeful that a number of firms in our state will be able to benefit from this financial ‘jump-start.’”

            There is a total of $25 million available under TIP, which is open to individual small- and medium-sized businesses or to joint ventures that may also include institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations and national laboratories.

            Approximately $15 million in first-year funding is allocated for R&D projects in manufacturing that would enable better, more cost-effective use of advanced materials in innovative products. The competition is limited to the three classes of materials considered most critical: nanomaterials; alloys, superalloys and composites; and smart materials.

            For infrastructure research, approximately $10 million is available for first-year funding in two areas: The first is the need for innovative, cost-effective sensor and sensor-network technologies for non-destructive testing and monitoring of the structural health of major infrastructure components. This competition emphasizes technologies to detect corrosion and other structural damage in water resources systems such as water and wastewater pipelines, dams and bridges. The second is the need for new technologies for repairing and upgrading existing structures.

            Proposals for the federal program are due June 23. For more information visit: http://www.nist.gov/tip/comp_09/2009_ffo_final1.pdf.

            For proposals to be considered for the matching state funds applications must be submitted to DECD by June 16, so the process is complete by the federal deadline. For more information on the state program, call Peter Simmons at DECD at (860) 270-8141.