This year's proposals look to be equally impressive with a new area of research concentration. Approximately 40 of this year's proposals focus on what could be considered "anti-bio-terrorism" products, reflecting a new national concern for the threat of biological weapons.

One of the new proposals includes the Ann Arbor Area Coalition for a Community Commercialization Campus, which has asked for $300,000 for new wet lab space.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is evaluating the 297 pre-proposals. The organization publishes Science magazine and with 135,000 members of scientists and engineers.

Based on its initial evaluation, the AAAS will recommend a number of the pre-proposals for further consideration. At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Michigan Life Sciences Steering Committee will use the recommendations to determine which applicants will be invited to submit full proposals for peer review by the AAAS. The deadline for full proposals is March 28.

"The corridor awards generate considerable interest from public and private sector researchers throughout the state," says Dr. Michael Orth, assistant professor of growth biology at Michigan State University. "That fact makes the process highly competitive, but it also means that we can expect to see some very high-quality products coming out of the research and commercialization efforts funded."

Rothwell says these awards act as a catalyst for bringing life-saving and life-enhancing products to the consumer, while also building companies that will create thousands of new jobs for Michigan workers in the coming years.

Last year's grants included about $2 million to build a MicroElectroMechanical systems facility for Integrated Sensing Systems Inc. and $842,992 for Sloan Enterprises LLC for startup funds for four new life science companies in the corridor.