Montana Department of Commerce Awards $2.5 Million for Biomedical Research to Montana Research Institutions

The Montana Department of Commerce http://commerce.mt.gov/ has awarded a total of $2.5 million dollars in grants for the expansion of biomedical research to the McLaughlin Research Institute http://www.montana.edu/wwwmri/ and the International Heart Institute of Montana Foundation http://www.ihimontanafoundation.org/ (IHIMF). McLaughlin will receive $2,033,369 for the continued expansion of its facility in Great Falls, employee recruitment and specialized equipment. IHIMF will receive a total $466,631 for biomedical research activities in Missoula.

“Groundbreaking scientific research is happening every day across Montana,” said Anthony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “These grant awards will help expand Montana’s growing research and technology sector, create cutting-edge jobs, and allow Montana to remain competitive in the exciting fields of bioresearch. These awards are long term-investments in the discoveries of tomorrow.”

The 2009 Legislature appropriated $2.5 million to the Montana Department of Commerce for Montana-based, private, non-profit research institutions involved in biomedical research that has the potential to significantly and positively impact the state of Montana. The Department of Commerce accepted proposals from institutions involved in research that could: improve the health of Montana citizens and/or livestock, create educational opportunities for Montanans in research activities, or provide economic benefit to the state through expanded research infrastructure and increased employment.

To receive the grants, the research institutes must provide matching funds totaling each individual award amount. Matching funding may include grants, loans, and/or investments for proposal related costs and activities.

For more information contact: Andy Poole, Deputy Director, Montana Department of Commerce, (406) 841-2707, [email protected].