“Washington companies engaged in product research & development can apply for up to $200,000 in funding from the Washington Technology Center’s Research & Technology Development Grant Program.The WTC is announcing its Call for Proposals for this semi-annual program aimed at helping Washington companies meet their technology development needs.The Washington Technology Center assists companies with R&D in two ways: by connecting companies with top researchers and laboratory resources at Washington universities, and by providing funding for industry/university collaborative research projects. Funding is available in the following technical areas:- Advanced materials and manufacturing- Biotech and biomedical devices- Computer systems- MicroelectronicsThe Research & Technology Development Program is the largest of three WTC grant programs, awarding between $1-2 million per year.One example of a project being funded by the R&D program is a partnership between D&A Instruments, a water quality instrumentation manufacturer located in Port Townsend, and researchers at Washington State University’s Department of Civil Engineering. The partnership was to optimize a device that measures the movement of gravel in streambeds, the Gravel Transport Sensor.Interested companies may download the Request for Proposal documents from WTC’s website at www.watechcenter.org, or may obtain a copy by calling 206-685-1920. Notices of intent are due March 17, proposals due on April 30. Contacting the WTC quickly improves a research team’s chances of developing a successful proposal.”