GARDINER – The Maine Technology Institute has awarded seed grants for 21 diverse projects around the state in its latest round of awards.

“The Seed Grant awards, which can be from $1,000 up to $10,000, are offered to Maine companies six times per year,” said MTI Director Janet Yancey-Wrona. “In this latest round, we approved a total of 21 grants out of 55 applications that were reviewed.” The awards total $201,600.

Companies receiving grants, and the scope of each project, included:

. Biotechnology: Coastside Research of Stonington will develop novel methods for multigram production of a potent anti-cancer compound from Maine fishery waste;

. Aquaculture and Marine Technology: Sensor Research and Development Corp. of Orono will develop a handheld sonographic imager to measure the size and structure of sea urchins;

. Composite Materials Technology: The Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center of Orono will develop prototypes, manufacturing process analysis and marketing strategies for a composite boat oar product;

. Environmental Technology: Access Technology Corp. of Bangor will continue the development of a superinsulated recycled foam building system begun with the funds from a previous seed grant;

Acheron Inc. of Newport will perform a technical and financial evaluation of its nonwater-based technology for cleaning boat hulls.

A complete list of seed grants awarded this round and program information is available at www.mainetechnology.org.

The application deadline for the next set of seed grants is April 17, with grant awards to be announced on May 13.

MTI Seed Grants are offered on a competitive basis to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning and development. Each grant requires a 1:1 match consisting of actual cash, salaries, staff time or equipment directly attributable to the proposed project.