19- 100 C.M.R. ch. 450, § 5
Entities eligible under Section 3 and providing or planning to provide services as described in Section 4 may apply for an annual Center Management Assistance Grant, dependent on continued funding by the Legislature. Successful applicants for management grants that plan to provide all of the services listed in Section 4 will be funded first; applicants that wish to provide only partial services will be considered for funding with any remaining funds. The size of the Management Assistance Grants will be commensurate with the level of services being provided with the maximum amount allowed for any Center per year being $150,000. All funds must be matched at least 1:1 with other funds or in-kind match which may be federal, state, local government or private.
Center Management Assistance Grants are to assist with management and personnel expenses related to the management of the Center. Grants may be used to assist with management expenses of operating a center, including personnel compensation, travel, and professional development. Overhead expenses related to insurance, security, utilities, building maintenance or upkeep, replacement/purchase of office equipment or supplies are not eligible uses for Center Management Assistance Grants.
Applications must include a description of how the Center intends to provide the services proposed, a detailed budget for the Center outlining all operational and capital expenses related to the provision of services proposed, including which expenses will be paid for by the Management Grant, identifying other sources and uses of funds, and a detailed report on the past operations and results of the Center.
The Director will review each Center's annual request for Center Management Assistance Grants and make recommendations for funding to the Commissioner. The Commissioner will make the final funding decisions.
Criteria will include:
· The proposed services and plans for providing them;
· The qualifications of the personnel who will be providing the services;
· The linkages of the proposed Center to other entities in the science and technology and entrepreneurial community in Maine and in the US, including the appropriateness of the Center's relationship with an academic institution;
· The relevance of the proposal to the Innovation Economy as described in the Science and Technology Action Plan;
· Past results including number of clients, results of the assistance provided to those clients as measured by job creation, revenue growth, outside investment and the awarding of patents or otherwise securing intellectual property; and
· The credibility and sustainability of the non-DECD funding.
· Plans for institutionalizing the work of the Center. How does the program intend to become an important part of the local entrepreneurial support system over the long term"
19- 100 C.M.R. ch. 450, § 5