AUGUSTA — Grants for 37 diverse projects totaling about $3 million have been approved by the Maine Technology Institute, according to Dr. Janet Yancey-Wrona, director of the recently formed organization.

“We have projects ranging from a boat refueling spill-prevention device to immunoassay screening for dioxin and related compounds,” Yancey-Wrona announced during a press conference Thursday at the Blaine House.

Yancey-Wrona pointed out that 220 pre-proposals were received after the announcement in January of the first MTI grants. A total of $10 million was requested, and applicants and grant recipients represent all seven of the technology sectors served by MTI.

The seven sectors targeted by MTI include composite materials technology, biotechnology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, environmental technology, aquaculture and marine resources, information technology and precision manufacturing technology.

MTI was formed as a nonprofit corporation to stimulate research and development activity throughout the state. The Legislature appropriated $3.2 million for the current fiscal year for MTI, and another $6.4 million for the next fiscal year.