AUGUSTA — The Maine Technology Institute is making $2.8 million available for its first-ever grants program, according to Janet Yancey-Wrona, director of the recently formed organization.

“The grants, which can be up to $100,000 per project, will be made to support research and development of new technologies leading to commercialization of products and services,” Yancey-Wrona said, “and each grant will be made based on a competitive process.”

The grants are available to companies and nonprofit organizations throughout Maine. The program requires a minimum one-to-one cash match that can include salaries, equipment and overhead.

MTI was created by the Legislature last year as a separate nonprofit corporation to stimulate research and development activity throughout the state in seven targeted technology sectors.

The seven sectors targeted by MTI include composite materials technology, biotechnology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, environmental technology, aquaculture and marine technology, information technology and precision manufacturing technology.

The Legislature appropriated $3.2 million for the current fiscal year, and another $6.4 million for the next fiscal year, according to the director.

“We have limited this round to a maximum of $100,000 per grant,” Yancey-Wrona said, “but we intend to increase that amount in future programs. However, we’re casting a broad net right now to see what’s out there and what kind of interest there is in the program.”

Request for Proposal and application forms can be found online at www.mainetechnology.org or can be obtained by calling MTI at 582-4790.

Pre-proposals, which must include a 200-word project description, are due at MTI by Feb. 11. Pre-proposals will then be reviewed at that time. Full proposals will be requested by Feb. 15 and due at MTI by March 13.

“Peer reviewers will evaluate the technical and commercial merit of the proposals,” Yancey-Wrona said, “and the potential for positive economic benefit to Maine will be reviewed by a targeted technology board.”

The MTI board of directors will make final funding decisions by June 5.

“We intend this program to establish the threshold for future programs,” Yancey-Wrona said, “and we’re looking to fund good projects that have a high potential for significant economic benefit to Maine.”

Informational seminars on this round of funding will be held throughout the state, beginning Jan. 25 in Portland. Yancey-Wrona will attend each seminar to discuss the program and answer all questions regarding the process, the grants or MTI’s goals and objectives.

The schedule of seminars is:

Portland — 2-4 p.m. Jan. 25, University of Southern Maine, Luther Bonney Auditorium.

Augusta — 2-4 p.m. Jan. 27, University of Maine at Augusta, Jewitt Hall, Room 156.

Presque Isle — 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 28, Northern Maine Technical College, Christie Lecture Hall.

Machias — 9-11 a.m. Feb. 1, University of Maine at Machias, Science Building, Room 102.

Bangor — 2-4 p.m. Feb. 1, Eastern Maine Technical College, Rangeley Hall, Room 501B.

Farmington — 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 2, University of Maine at Farmington, North Dining Hall.

Sanford — 9-11 a.m. Feb. 3, Sanford Town Hall.

Auburn — 1-3 p.m. Feb. 3, Lewiston-Auburn College, Room 147.