Ocean Optics Inc. is accepting proposals for its Blue Ocean Grants program, which will award more than $250,000 in R&D funding to explore ideas involving optical sensing. The international program, in its second year, is designed to facilitate innovation and spur the development of new optical sensing technologies with potential for market commercialization. The company encourages applicants from all disciplines to apply before the Sept. 1 deadline. The grants are divided into two phases: Phase I is issued to fund initial evaluation and development of ideas and technologies. Phase II will be issued to nurture a proposed technology through proof of concept in a way that enables market commercialization. The company planned to award up to 10 Phase I grants of up to $10,000 last year but expanded the number to 13 because of strong applications. In addition, another seven submissions were awarded development grants. Development grant recipients were given or lent Ocean Optics equipment to further their grant ideas, enabling them to be submitted to both last year’s Phase II program as well as this year’s Phase I process. To view a list of the 2011 winners, see: Ocean Optics Awards Phase I Blue Ocean Grants. Grants are determined by Ocean Optics Chief Technology Officer Jason M. Eichenholz and a panel of independent photonics experts and are based on technical merit, potential commercial viability and the ability to change the world for the better via optical sensing. For more information, visit: www.blueoceangrants.com