BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Businesses in Western New York seeking to expand or improve operations can receive up to $25,000 in matching funds under a grant program administered by the University at Buffalo.

The program, called Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence (SPIR), aims to bolster the state's economy by promoting the transfer of knowledge from university to industry. It also provides businesses with consultation, technical assistance, research facilities and resources for industrial restructuring.

SPIR is funded by the State University of New York and administered by UB TCIE and counterparts in Binghamton and Stony Brook. It allows companies with 500 employees or less to tap into SUNY's brainpower, which includes seven departments at UB's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

"Businesses don't always have the technical capabilities necessary for elevating their competitiveness," said Timothy Leyh, TCIE executive director. "SPIR provides a cost-effective way to access university engineering resources that can foster advancement in the marketplace."

TCIE works with roughly 30 companies annually, helping them upgrade or introduce new technologies, address product development and testing challenges, enhance improvement programs, and become more sustainable. In the 2011-12 fiscal year, companies that received TCIE funding reported creating 371 jobs, retaining 5,600 jobs and increasing revenues by more than $28 million.

Grants through SPIR, which underwrite up to 50 percent of project costs, do not cover capital expenses. But SPIR grants can help businesses:

-- Expand their product portfolio by tapping into research and development opportunities.

-- Benefit from the expertise of more than 250 engineers and scientists.

-- Overcome staffing constraints with graduate student interns.

-- Access advanced manufacturing equipment and high-tech laboratories

-- Compete for state and federal grants

To be considered for SPIR, contact TCIE Business Development Director Gary Simon at 716-645-8837 or ggsimon@buffalo.edu.

A program of UB's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, TCIE is Western New York's bridge to excellence by providing a dynamic link between UB's expert resources and the region's business community. TCIE's engineering solutions ignite innovation and technological advancement, and its core focus on operational excellence drives continuous improvement. For more information on how TCIE can assist Western New York businesses, visit http://tcie.buffalo.edu or call 716-645-8800.