Michigan § 125.1952 - State research fund; creation; public notice; grants for specific projects; evaluation criteria for proposed project; allocation of amount appropriated; priority for proposals.

(1) The state research fund is hereby created. The department of labor and economic growth shall give public notice of the existence of the fund, the fund's objectives, and requirements for participation in the fund. From the amounts received by the fund, the department of labor and economic growth shall make grants for specific projects that are either proposed by Michigan colleges and universities in cooperation with a business or other private entity, or that are proposed by a business or other private entity, that is either a profit or nonprofit entity and that is doing business in Michigan. The department of labor and economic growth shall evaluate a proposed project according to whether it meets 1 or more of the following criteria:

(a) The project applies technological discoveries to new applications.

(b) The project provides a tangible, direct benefit for the economy of the state.

(c) The project is of interest to 1 or more of the following:

(i) The college or university.

(ii) The business or other private entity.

(d) The project is of general interest to an entire industrial field.

(e) The project contributes directly or indirectly to the development of additional products or processes.

(f) The applicant demonstrates the capability to implement the proposed project.

(g) The project meets any other criteria prescribed by the director of the department of labor and economic growth.

(2) Not more than 35% of the amount appropriated to the fund shall be allocated to any 1 college or university. Priority for proposed projects in subsection (1) shall be given to those projects that are submitted by a Michigan college or university in cooperation with a business or private entity, that do not require continuing grants, and that have prospects of receiving necessary financial assistance from other sources in the future.

(3) If a proposed project complies with subsection (1), the director of the department of labor and economic growth shall determine the amount and priority of the grant and release the grant to the college or university or the business or private entity named in the proposed project in accordance with the accounting laws of the state.