GARDINER – More than two dozen Seed Grants from the Maine Technology Institute have been awarded to companies across the state, according to Dr. Janet Yancey-Wrona, director.

“Seed Grants, which can be up to $10,000, are for small research and development projects or for technical or business planning consulting,” Dr. Yancey-Wrona said. “We approved a total of 26 grants out of a record number of 81 applications that were reviewed.”

Among companies receiving grants in eastern and northern Maine were:

. Aquaculture and Marine Technology: Richard Arnold of Thistle Marine LLC of Ellsworth for the collection of fine-scale bathometric data; Peter Cowin of Seabait LLC of Franklin for the development of sea worm aquaculture in Maine (stage 2); Daniel H. Hodgkins of Lobster Products Inc. of Hancock for an alternative bait package for the lobster fisherman, and Eric Anderson of Maine BioTek Inc. of Winterport to complete testing of an IHN virus vaccine;

. Biotechnology: David B. Losee of Quest Chemical LLC of Islesboro for a grant writer for a chemical process;

. Environmental Technology: Thomas Gocze of Access Technology Corp. of Bangor for super insulated building blocks using recycled foam; and Priscilla Morin of Spill Free Oil Drainage Products LLC of Bangor to complete market analysis, a business plan and for grant writing assistance;

. Information Technology: Randy Scamfer of Builder Partners LLC of Camden to conduct an Estimator Partners Market Analysis; and Stephen Hand of Know Technology of Camden to assist in development, testing and installation of an automated network and security monitoring;

. Precision Manufacturing Technology: Jon Simms of Talon Industries LLC of Hampden for The Talon: a game recovery system for bow hunters; and Crosby Noyes of Noyes Boatyard and Construction of Sorrento to complete market research and product development for an electronic pet door.

MTI Seed Grants of up to $10,000 per project are offered on a competitive basis to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning and development. Each grant requires a one-to-one match consisting of actual cash, salaries, staff time or equipment directly attributable to the proposed project.

Seed Grants are now awarded six times each year. The application deadline for the next round of grants is Aug. 15 and the grants will be announced Sept. 6. Information about Seed Grants is available at http://www.mainetechnology.org.