Kansas Bioscience Authority announced Thursday it would award up to $1 million in grants to organizations to develop research centers.

“We’re going to bring scientists, eminent scholars, engineers and business entrepreneurs together, let them all do what they do best, and then help them keep that success going on their own,” said KBA President Tom Thornton.

“When we do that, everyone benefits, and our state further develops as an international leader in research and bioscience business,” Thornton said.

Grants of up to $200,000 each will be awarded to research organizations to establish Kansas Bioscience Centers of Innovation.

The centers will focus on the state’s research strengths, including bio-materials, animal science, bio-energy, drug development, healthcare information technology, oncology and plant sciences.

The dominant factor in awarding grants will be the expected economic return, according to the KBA.

The deadline for proposals is Oct. 13. Instructions on how to apply are on the KBA Web site at http://kansasbioauthority .org/investmentopps/rfp.html.