GARDINER – Two eastern Maine companies were recently awarded Seed Grants from the Maine Technology Institute.

MTI Seed Grants can be from $1,000 up to $10,000, and are offered on a competitive basis to Maine companies six times per year 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.

Recent award recipients include:

. Advanced Technology for Forestry and Agriculture: The University of Maine Consumer Testing Center in Orono will develop and conduct consumer testing on a shelf-stable salmon jerky snack.

. Aquaculture and Marine Technology: Maine BioTek Inc. in Winterport will conduct market research analysis and development of a commercialization strategy for an ISA virus recombinant vaccine.

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