The Metropolitan Development Association wants to honor successful collaborations between central New York universities and industry.

Earlier this week, the MDA announced a major enhancement of its successful Grants for Growth program, offering as much as $75,000 for the fifth round to encourage collaboration between the two entities. The first four rounds had a maximum of $50,000.

GFG is a program that offers matching funds for innovative and economically beneficial partnerships between university and industry in the 12-county region with the hopes that it would foster innovation and technology commercialization within the regional economy.

The MDA is currently accepting applications for GFG V through Dec. 21, 2007.

Eligible projects must include: a focus on research, development or commercialization in one or more of the following industries: agriculture, biosciences and electronic devices, energy, environmental systems, information technology, packaging and precision metalworking; include business and university partners from the 12-county region; provide a 1:1 match for all GFG funds; and have the potential to create jobs and deliver economic impact to Central New York.

GFG is funded by $2 million in grants secured by New York State Sen. John A. DeFrancisco.

For more information contact Seth Mulligan at smulligan@mda-cny.com or 422-8284.

Applications and program guidelines are available at www.essentialconnections.org

/gfg.