Two NH Businesses Awarded Technology Innovation Grants for Research and Product Development

Friday, January 26, 2018

DURHAM, N.H. - Watts Water Technologies, Inc. and Voi have received Granite State Technology Innovation Grants in the latest round of funding from the New Hampshire Innovation Research Center (NHIRC), a state program administered by the University of New Hampshire. The funding enables the companies to collaborate with New Hampshire-based colleges and universities to help turn their research, conceptualization, and product development into economic assets.

The NHIRC grants support projects under development in the private sector. Projects vary from proof-of-concept to substantial product or process design. Companies are required to provide matching dollars or services in an effort to improve leverage of NHIRC dollars.

Voi-Reach is an innovative web-based app designed to enhance collaborative care. Implementation of the Reach tool within clinical care teams for youth enrolled in foster care has the potential to improve communication across providers and better inform clinical decision points for system-involved youth. The research collaboration between Dartmouth College and Voi will facilitate modification of the Reach platform to include the role of mobile coach and establish an evidence-based guide for the mobile coach role to improve user engagement and team communication.

Watts Water Technologies, Inc. is a global manufacturer that provides one of the broadest plumbing, heating, and water quality product lines in the world. The NHIRC funding and collaboration with the University of New Hampshire will support research and development to accelerate design improvements for a select number of Watts products. The company hopes to drive the production of better products for its customers and increase its potential for growth in New Hampshire. 

The NHIRC was created in 1991 by the New Hampshire Legislature to support innovations through industry and university collaborations, thereby increasing the number of quality jobs in the state. Since its inception, the NHIRC has awarded more than $8 million in state funds to support research projects and has been responsible for the creation or retention of more than 685 jobs. Its awardees have received more than $32 million in federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, over $950,000 in National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF-EPSCoR) funds, and over $900 million in investment/acquisition capital.

The NHIRC is now seeking grant applications from New Hampshire companies for its latest round of funding. A non-binding letter of intent is due by Thursday, February 15, 2018. For more information and to download the application package, visithttp://www.nhirc.unh.edu/.